Peterborough DNA – one of four government funded Future City Demonstrators – has kick-started something special in Peterborough. It’s created an opportunity to change the way the city thinks and acts. Just as cities come in all shapes and sizes, so do Smart City approaches and projects. For Peterborough, the starting point was to assess the key challenges the city faces and embed long-term change by working from the inside out. The overall aim is to create a better city for people and businesses. Explore Peterborough’s journey towards becoming a smarter, more sustainable city in pictures. This visual video gallery shows the key milestones in the Peterborough DNA programme and tells the story of how the city of Peterborough is taking on the 'smart city' challenge to become a better place to live and work.

2. Welcome to
Peterborough…

3. In 2013 Peterborough was chosen as one of the Government’s Future City
Demonstrators - cities testing and developing innovative ways to make urban
systems more integrated and more effective…

4. Peterborough DNA is creating a step-change in how
the city works.
A programme of activities and initiatives are being
delivered under four key themes…
Smart Business
sustainable in all
senses of the word,
economically resilient
and with low-environmental
impact
Open Data
bringing city data to
life to demonstrate its
value in a visually
appealing way
Skills
the right local skills to
meet demand now
and in the future
Innovation
catalysing innovation
and changing the way
the city responds to
challenges

5. Central to Peterborough DNA is
collaboration and partnership across
the city between the private, public
and third sectors

6. We’re developing homegrown talent with funding for
four residents to study an MSc in Sustainability
“The Peterborough DNA opportunity has been invaluable for me. I’ve learnt
so much, widened my horizons, and built an incredible UK-wide specialist
network. Now I’m bringing all that back to the city and helping local
businesses work smarter.” Nilam, MSc Bursary Scheme participant

7. We’ve developed an accessible, engaging
open data platform for everyone to view and
use city data
“Data is being used in the city to offer insight about local
school and health provision – helping residents reshape
their city.” The Guardian

8. A greenhouse for good ideas and a gateway to
business opportunities and funding,
is a free online platform where entrepreneurs,
residents and communities can develop, share
and discuss ideas that solve city and business
challenges
A way to make use of old coffee
sacks?
“Peterborough DNA has created space
for thinking differently and trialling
new things.” Pav, Entrepreneur,
Brainwave Challenge Fund winner

9. Breakthrough thinking workshops to help people
think like innovators and turn problems into
opportunities
“Peterborough is full of people with a lot of good ideas
and it’s wonderful that something’s being done to help
them come to fruition.” Michael, Product Innovator

10. Smart Fengate: Dedicated support for a city
business park to catalyse innovation, create
a circular economy and embed a support
network for sustainable, long-term change

11. Funding to get good ideas off the ground –
Michael Reid’s prototype solar powered
terrace heater is going from concept to market

12. A brand new Skills and Innovation Centre
to drive aspiration in young people and
provide R&D facilities for innovating
businesses

13. Graduates from across the UK head to Peterborough
for six month placements to tackle business
sustainability challenges

14. Hackathons to enable new thinking and new
approaches to tackling specific city challenges
Open City is an exciting initiative bringing Peterborough’s digital and creative community together to
approach city challenges differently. Its first project is to design content for the interactive screen being
installed in the city centre.

16. Find out more at
www.peterboroughdna.com
www.brainwaveinnovations.co.uk
@PeterboroughDNA