Two pilot projects commencing in South London will use innovative IoT technology to review the usage of local green spaces in Sutton while ensuring safety and security for a building set to be demolished in Kingston.
UK IoT service and solutions provider North is delivering the project for South London Partnerships and has teamed up with Daizy for software development support.
The Innovate UK funded pilots are collectively worth more than £160k. They will see sensors installed in access points to parks and recreational grounds across Sutton, in addition to an old residential building on Cambridge Road Estate.
Seven parks will be monitored as part of the project in Sutton, including Manor Park, Cheam Park and Carshalton Park. Sensors are being installed around the parks to review whether the local community are getting the best use out of their local green space, if an investment is needed and if the pandemic has shifted trends in local park usage.
North is working in close consultation with Sutton Council to review footfall data from 30 key points of interest around the parks, including entrance points and access to playgrounds within the park, giving insight into whether the green spaces meet the needs of local people.
In Kingston, work is taking place within the old residential building to prepare for demolition. It is essential that the building remains empty to ensure health and safety standards are met. The sensors will be installed throughout the 130 previous residential properties and notify central systems of movement within the building. The sensors will help combat any antisocial behaviour and support the security of the vacant building.
The pilot projects are just two examples of how IoT technology can be used to improve local communities, with smart data used to track trends in the area, meet the community’s needs, and ensure the safety of residents.
Mark Lowe, Business Development Director at North, said: “The pilot projects in South London demonstrate two excellent examples of how smart IoT technology can be used to transform our communities. Used in two different areas for varying purposes, they will use data to improve the local community – one to ensure safety and combat antisocial behaviour and the other to improve local green spaces for those living nearby.
“We are thrilled to be working with each of the local councils, South London Partnerships, and Daizy to deliver innovative IoT solutions that enhance the local area.”
Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of the Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee at Sutton Council, said: “Sutton’s parks have benefitted so many residents during these difficult times and continue to do so. This is why I’m excited for us to trial this technology to make the parks and facilities as clean and safe as possible.
“By using this technology, it will help us to find out the true number of visitors using our parks and will enable us to act accordingly, continuing our commitment to and vision of being a green borough.”