The digital innovation zone
What we do
WHAT WE DO
Our Vision
The Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) has been created to deliver the following agreed vision:
“To be the best connected place of its type in the UK. A place of innovation and inclusion. A place where the benefits of digital investment are harnessed, maximised and shared across residents, commuters, businesses and borders.”
Partners are working together to answer a number of key questions:
• What does our economy currently look like and how exposed might it be to a change and how might we future proof our economic prosperity?
• Digital relies on infrastructure, so how are we currently placed on speed and connectivity and how might we better utilise our current assets to lever in the additional investment required from the private sector and / or government to go ‘further, faster’?
• Can we work better together to use digital to deliver more public services in a joined up way that costs less and provides more, or should we carry on as we are commissioning individual approaches?
WHAT WE DO
Our Strategy
The DIZ Digital Innovation Strategy is the key strategic document that will shape and guide the work of the DIZ over both the short and longer term. It is supported by the public, health, education and community and voluntary sector organisations that are represented within the DIZ partnership and has been adopted as a strategic document by all of the district local authority partners of the DIZ.
Developed in conjunction with Arup, the strategy will help the DIZ to deliver on its vision to be the best connected place of its type in the UK. A place of innovation and inclusion. A place where benefits of digital investment in the public and private sectors are harnessed, maximised and shared across residents, commuters, businesses and borders.
As well covering an in-depth analysis of the key assets of the DIZ, the strategy also explores its strengths and weaknesses and looks to explore digital opportunities through a series of operational and strategic recommendations.
These recommendations will be developed into a comprehensive delivery plan that will enable the DIZ to maximise the digital dividend for its residents, visitors and businesses and to make the DIZ a go-to testbed area for government and private sector investment and initiatives.
Download a copy of the strategy.
Strategic Aims & Objectives
The initial strategic aims and objectives are shown below. These are now being developed further and in detail through the DIZ Digital Innovation Strategy.
• Building a more productive and effective relationship with international infrastructure organisations
• Developing a strategic long-term plan for the enhancement of digital investment and applications across all partners organisations
• Establishing effective governance arrangements across all relevant partner organisations
• Identifying and delivering short-term practical digital investment and enhancement projects
• Developing effective communication and branding to maintain an understanding of and support for the digital programme among key stakeholders and external partners
• Identifying and targeting key sources of external investment and support for coordinating local partner programmes
WHAT WE DO
Our Work
One of the key roles of the DIZ is to examine programs and projects that have been successfully tested or applied in ‘smart cities’ and assess their benefit to a geography such as the DIZ ie. a mixture of small urban market towns and rural surroundings that more closely reflects the economic and social reality of the rest of the UK.
The evolution of the Digital Innovation Zone
Founded in response to the digital revolution’s challenges and opportunities, the Digital Innovation Zone has evolved from a localised initiative to a multi-sector partnership. With key players from business, health, and education, we have built a robust framework that drives digital solutions tailored to community needs, making significant strides in transforming how our region engages with technology.
