AI Technology Solutions for Public Realm Challenges

2026-11-03

Connected Places Catapult (CPC) is a UK innovation accelerator for cities/transport, helping public bodies use innovation for better living/working/travel, and its initiative, the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), provides practical support, expert guidance and shared learning to overcome procurement barriers and bring innovation into the public sector. Councils are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services through innovative solutions. This work supports broader council objectives to enhance service delivery and address anti-social behaviour, while maximising value for residents. This notification seeks to explore the potential impact of AI in the public realm for local authorities. The aim is to assess market maturity, identify available solutions, and develop a procurement strategy for trials and recommendations to councils. Purpose of Engagement IPEC are leading this pre-market engagement exercise to explore the range of solutions currently available in the market to help shape the scope and inform the design of a future procurements for Councils. This market engagement is a strategic initiative that brings together a number of authorities, aligns requirements, and optimises resources for tendering. It also facilitates knowledge sharing across councils, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful approach. We are particularly interested in technologies and approaches that could address one or more of the identified challenges within the public realm. Depending on the nature, maturity, and potential impact of the solutions identified, this may lead to a procurement structured into one or more lots or delivered through multiple tenders. The final approach will be shaped by market readiness and a balanced assessment of cost versus impact. While the Councils will consider a range of benefits and outcomes (such as environmental improvements and social value), the current economic climate necessitates that all new spending and existing programs are heavily scrutinised for cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Please note: This is an initial market engagement and discovery exercise. As engagement progresses and additional authorities choose to participate, updates will be communicated through future notifications. The estimated value is highly speculative and may increase to include pilot activities, testing, and potential scaling. The final value will be determined following pre-market engagement and through further collaboration with participating authorities.

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-04-02