The race to create a world of smart cities will generate a $1.56 trillion market place by 2020, according to Frost and Sullivan.

New innovations in transport, energy and urban developments will transform the landscape of cities across the world, with planners and stake holders from government and industry working to capatalise on the huge opportunities this new digital revolution offers.

Manchester was named by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as the UK’s Internet of Things (IoT) – the growing connections being made between physical objects and the internet –  city demonstrator in December 2015 and awarded £10 million to exploit the latest technologies to build a better city for its citizens.

Andy Chew, managing director for Innovation for Cisco Systems UK – who are partnering with Manchester on this project, said, “We are delighted to be able to build the UK’s first IoT Smart City demonstrator in Manchester. There is a huge opportunity for UK tech companies to lead the IoT revolution. This consortium brings together the best of Manchester and the North’s IoT tech talent. Combined with Cisco’s industry-leading technologies and global presence, there is a powerful consortium that will establish Manchester as the Smart City, and open up digitisation opportunities for UK companies across the world.”