UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure & Cities: Urban Observatories (Strand B)

Cities are already enormous laboratories - they provide numerous examples of trial and error, of failures and successes. We shall learn, form and test engineering principles and theories in 'city laboratories', or Integrated Infrastrcuture Observatories (IIOs), to systematically study success, failure and the reasons for it, in real cities.

IIOs provide an environment for researchers and users to co-create learning, innovation, sustainable behaviours and resilient agency through real-world urban observation, research and full scale experimentation and demonstrators. They provide a platform to establish a common purpose, vision and set of values for delivering future cities. The IIO (UKCRIC Strand B) will develop observational component of a suite of IIOs and some of the facilities that will enable co-creation and experimentation. The development of full-fledged ULLs will be enabled only the additional financial and co-operation support of the academic partners and their respective university, government, industry and societal partners, and the collective intellectual capability and skills that this creates.

To capture the imagination, mobilise and inspire other cities to join we shall begin to form a network of IIOs that will provide a focal point for advocacy of IIO research; knowledge sharing and dissemination; engagement; building capacity; and more generally maximising impact.