A synthesis of trends for the future of our towns and cities.

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION *****

This procurement is being concluded following a competitive procurement exercise.

Brief Description of Requirement

UKRI Innovate UK (IUK), as the Government's innovation agency, acts to support businessled innovation in all sectors, technologies and UK regions. Within the Plan for Action IUK's mission is stated as 'helping businesses to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive, and easy to navigate.'

Within Innovate UK, the Urban Systems team have a responsibility to help places decarbonise alongside addressing other challenges that our urban areas face. Through adopting a systems approach and tackling issues through a sector agnostic outlook, our interest in urban areas is wide ranging.

The UK is a highly urbanised country with many living within these urban areas. As of 2021 England's cities and towns were home to around 80% of the population, with this number expected to continue to rise. These urban areas are not only crucial for the people living in them in terms of employment and livelihood but are also highly important for the UK economy.