// CITY_ASSESSMENT
How smart is Chester?
Chester, United Kingdom, scores 68.6% against the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework in 2026 — ranked #90 of 388 cities assessed, with every finding traceable to a public source.
Smart score
68.6%
Rank
#90 / 388
Criteria present
49 / 86
Evidence coverage
79.1%
Chester's smart city score by area
9 present · 2 partial · 1 absent · 3 not assessed
7 present · 4 partial · 1 absent
9 present · 3 partial · 0 absent · 1 not assessed
7 present · 2 partial · 2 absent
10 present · 1 partial · 1 absent · 1 not assessed
5 present · 0 partial · 0 absent · 3 not assessed
2 present · 7 partial · 0 absent · 5 not assessed
Where Chester is strong
- ▸Air Quality & Monitoring
- ▸Health & Digital Health
- ▸Inclusion & Civic Participation
- ▸Culture, Tourism & Recreation
- ▸Food Security & Urban Agriculture
Where the gaps are
- ▸Urban Data Platform & Digital Twin
- ▸Climate Adaptation & Heat
- ▸Innovation & Economic Development
- ▸Critical Infrastructure Resilience
- ▸Governance & Smart-City Operating Model
Evidence highlights
Open Data & Transparency · Clear open licensing
The Open Government Licence (OGL) version 3 is available for public sector information in the UK, encouraging free and flexible re-use with only a few conditions, provided the source is acknowledged.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/Public Transport & Real-Time Information · Public transport network
Chester has a public transport network, including bus services with a 'Chester Bus Interchange' and 'Chester area public transport map', as well as train services.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/bus-timetables-route-maps/local-bus-network-maps-and-bus-service-informationPublic Transport & Real-Time Information · Real-time arrivals (GTFS-RT)
The Stagecoach Bus App offers 'live bus tracking' and 'live bus information', and the Arriva Bus app provides 'Live departures'.
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/appActive & Shared Mobility · Cycling network / lanes
Chester has a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan adopted in 2020 to develop cycling networks, and the Chester Cycling Campaign provides route information and an extensive cycle map.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/active-travel/cycling-and-walkingFunding Chester can bid for
117 open calls — grants, tenders and innovation competitions Chester is eligible for, including UK-wide schemes any place can apply to. Every entry links to its source.
- NationalgrantCloses 15 Sept 2026Help The Homeless Grant Scheme
Help the Homeless
up to £5kApply → - NationalcompetitionCloses 16 Sept 2026Accelerating adoption of quantum enabled sensing and PNT
Innovate UK
up to £14.3m24 month projectEnds 30 Nov 2028 - NationalgrantCloses 16 Sept 2026Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Energy Efficiency
Innovate UK, Department for Transport (DfT)
- NationalgrantCloses 16 Sept 2026Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Electric Power
Innovate UK, Department for Transport
- Nationalinnovation-callCloses 16 Sept 2026Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure Two (ZEVI 2): Alternative Fuels
Innovate UK, Department for Transport
- Nationalinnovation-callCloses 16 Sept 2026Quantum computing applications for large scale impact: CR&D
Innovate UK
up to £13m - NationalgrantCloses 16 Sept 2026Healthy Heart Grants 2026
Heart Research UK
- NationalgrantCloses 17 Sept 2026Researcher Challenges Grants 2026
British Council
- NationalgrantCloses 18 Sept 2026Coastal Communities Fund Grant Scheme 2026
Moray Council
£10k–£50kApply → - NationalgrantCloses 18 Sept 2026Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant
Environment Agency
- NationalgrantCloses 18 Sept 2026Second Year Of Moray Coastal Community Fund Opens For Bids
Moray Council
£10k–£50kApply → - NationalgrantCloses 18 Sept 2026Moray Council’s Coastal Community Fund
Moray Council
£10k–£50k
Showing 12 of 117 — see them all in the explorer.
About this assessment
Chester was assessed against the 86 criteria of the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework on 2026-09-03 by AI agents gathering evidence from official public sources. Each criterion is marked present, partial or absent, and every finding links to where it was found. Scores refresh continuously as cities publish new evidence.