The roadmap has been drawn up to provide direction to the council’s smart city initiatives and describes itself as a “statement of aspirations” to align with various strategies, including on digital, transport and the local economy.

It points to opportunities for exploiting technology, notably in improving transport and the local energy infrastructure, and towards using the internet of things to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency and air quality.

The council has identified five prime missions, the first being to enable innovators to submit ideas on smart applications that could improve the city, using hackathons, workshops and focus groups. This combines with working with universities and businesses under the ‘collaborative city’ agenda.

Secondly comes the aim to become a data-driven city, using analytics, data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve decision making.

Next is the ‘connected city’, under which the council plans to work collaboratively with telecoms, the Welsh Government and other partners to improve the fibre infrastructure and support the roll out of 5G.

Fourth is the aim of becoming a mobile and sustainable city, with plans to reduce congestion and lower emissions through the use of smart technology in ‘living labs’ on part of Cardiff’s transport network.

Finally, the council is aiming to promote public health through a digital health board and to use health and social care data more effectively. This includes an emphasis on joining up the services that contribute to care through improving the interoperability of digital systems.

Smarter Transport for a Smoother Ride

One of the biggest challenges for any city is traffic. Nobody likes sitting in congestion, and Cardiff is addressing this head-on with smart transport solutions.

• Nextbike and e-scooters: If you’ve strolled around Cardiff, you’ve probably seen people zipping past on electric scooters or grabbing a Nextbike. These bike-sharing and scooter schemes have been a game-changer, making short commutes more eco-friendly and hassle-free.
• Intelligent Traffic Lights: The city has introduced smart traffic light systems that adjust in real-time based on congestion levels. The goal? Reduce bottlenecks and cut down on pollution caused by idling vehicles.
• Better Public Transport: Cardiff Bus has been upgrading its fleet with electric buses, and Transport for Wales is rolling out improvements to train connectivity, making it easier than ever to get around without a car.

Using tech intelligently

Councillor Chris Weaver, Cardiff’s cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, said: “The council is already utilising smart technology. For example, we use energy data obtained from smart meters to help us use energy more efficiently across our buildings, sensors monitor air quality in the city and our LED lighting systems are saving money and reducing faults.

“But as technology develops and increasing amounts of data is gathered, we want to ensure we use it intelligently, and to its full potential.”

He added: “Following work to address any issues around public trust and the rights of data holders, the council also intends to publish licensed open datasets that can be accessed by businesses, entrepreneurial start-ups and academics so that they can develop new products and services.

“We also want to investigate how technology can help people to live independently for as long as possible using new and established technology such as wearables, machine learning, virtual assistants and sensors.

“We think smart technology offers real opportunities in the area of health, care and wellbeing. Establishing a digital health board with partners and using health and social care data more effectively to improve outcomes for citizens will play a key part in helping us understand just what might be achievable.”

A City that Listens: IoT and Data-Driven Decisions

Imagine a city that reacts to its residents’ needs in real time. That’s the idea behind Cardiff’s increasing use of IoT (Internet of Things) technology.

• Air Quality Monitoring: With growing concerns over pollution, Cardiff has installed smart air quality sensors across the city. These devices provide real-time data on pollution levels, helping authorities take action when needed.
• Smart Waste Bins: You might not notice them, but Cardiff has installed smart bins that notify waste collection teams when they’re full. This means no overflowing bins and more efficient collections.
• Flood Monitoring: Given Wales’ rainy climate, flooding is a real concern. Cardiff uses sensors to monitor water levels and predict floods before they happen, reducing the risk of damage and disruption.

Final Thoughts: A Smart City with Heart

What makes Cardiff’s smart city transformation exciting is that it’s happening in a way that complements the city’s personality. It’s not about tech for tech’s sake—it’s about making life easier, greener, and more connected for the people who live here. Whether it’s better public transport, smarter energy use, or simply making it easier to get online, Cardiff is proving that you don’t have to be a huge metropolis to embrace the future.

So, next time you’re walking through the city, take a moment to notice the little things—the smart bins, the air quality sensors, the seamless Wi-Fi. Cardiff isn’t just a historic city with a rich past; it’s a forward-thinking, tech-driven city of the future. And that’s something worth celebrating.