Enough waiting: it’s time for government mandates in infrastructure data management
This is a guest blogpost by Andy Berry, CEO of VertiGIS.
Working across infrastructure and geospatial technology, you have a front row seat to what effective digital transformation looks like. In markets across Europe, North America and even emerging economies, governments are leaning into long-term infrastructure planning, mandating digital transformation and, critically, they are reaping the benefits.
And then there’s the UK.
Modern tech, missed opportunities
The fact is, the technology to transform our utilities, local government services, and infrastructure networks already exists. Today, we can digitise land management, model complex utility networks, and predict infrastructure needs with remarkable precision.
In Germany, local authorities run fully digitised land management systems. Architects log in, review rights and restrictions, submit plans and receive approvals – all digitally. In the Nordics, even waste management is automated. RFID-tagged recycling bins, weight-based collections, and real-time reporting are the norm. In Canada, they’re already using historical crime data to redirect police forces to predicted crime hotspots. Imagine implementing such predictive technologies across UK policing?
But despite having access to world-class technology, talent, and funding, the UK continues to fall behind in the digitisation of its utility infrastructure. We’re still using paper maps in some councils, and utilities regularly delay upgrades.
Now, consider the complexity of modern infrastructure challenges. We’re talking about building 1.5 million new houses in the UK. How will these new developments affect our electrical grid? Our water networks? Our transportation systems? These are questions that require sophisticated digital modelling, yet we’re still operating with fragmented, outdated approaches.
Why? Because there’s no obligation to digitise.
The power of government mandates
Other countries have not only embraced digital infrastructure – they’ve mandated it. But while the technology to digitise and share Geographic Information System (GIS) data exists, UK utilities operate at their own pace, with no legal or regulatory obligation to modernise.
Take water infrastructure as an example. Privatised water utility companies in the UK are not incentivised to invest meaningfully in modernisation, particularly not in digitisation. Overseas parent companies own many of them, yet investors don’t invest enough in infrastructure to drive real change.
Ultimately, without government pressure, these companies will continue to prioritise profit over public service improvements.
Driving reform through policy and partnership
To address this issue effectively, the government must take decisive action. We need to introduce funding mechanisms and regulatory penalties as a matter of urgency. We also need to foster public-private partnerships to ensure compliance and stimulate innovation.
Another challenge is that where data exists, it is often outdated or poorly maintained. Without a centralised framework for data governance, the value of GIS data is significantly diminished. To get ahead of this, a national framework for data quality, interoperability, and maintenance is essential to ensure GIS data is reliable and actionable.
Equally, the lack of a long-term national infrastructure strategy that includes digital transformation hinders effective planning across housing, transport, and environmental resilience. Success requires a well-defined, long-term strategic roadmap. Otherwise, how do governments and organisations commit their investment to a project without it?
Meanwhile, local authorities are desperate for change. They understand the potential of digital twins, AI-driven planning, and geospatial data management. But without central government support, they’re fighting an uphill battle. Councils need resources, authority, and a clear national strategy to implement digital infrastructure strategies, including digital twin modelling as well as cloud-based and AI-driven tools.
Unlocking AI’s potential in UK infrastructure
AI is already being put to work, automatically designing new neighbourhoods, simulating infrastructure impacts, predicting maintenance needs, modelling complex network scenarios and automating lengthy approval processes.
Yet, these capabilities remain largely untapped in the UK, while other countries which are investing heavily in digital infrastructure are racing ahead. The UK can do the same, but only if we stop kicking the can down the road.
The solutions aren’t complex. We need:
- Mandatory digitisation standards for utilities
- A national framework for data governance
- Long-term infrastructure strategies
- Regulatory mechanisms that prioritise public interest
- Funding for local authorities to implement digital transformation
UK citizens deserve more
The flurry of government announcements about its blueprint for modern digital government is promising, but it’s just the beginning. We need comprehensive, systemic change. Not piecemeal solutions that deliver little real-world impact.
UK citizens must demand more. We need higher standards and transparency in utility projects to ensure responsible use of public funds and better service delivery. We should look to countries with fewer resources that are successfully managing their infrastructure and adapt their strategies to strengthen and modernise our systems.
Transparent, GIS-based planning would empower communities to understand and challenge these systems. They can see how projects affect their areas, provide feedback, and hold decision-makers accountable. This openness builds trust, drives more reliable and sustainable infrastructure, and supports smarter, fairer governance.
The most frustrating part of this all is that the solutions are ready and waiting. We have the technology and expertise to transform water networks, electrical grids, transportation systems, and local government services. We have compelling case studies from around the world that highlight the strategic value digital transformations can deliver, offering valuable insights we can apply to our efforts.
All we need is the will to change.