theFreesheet is the official media partner for Manchester Edge & Digital Infrastructure Summit, to be held on April 2nd, 2026.
In the rush to build “smart” cities, it’s easy to lose sight of who they are actually for. As Manchester and the broader UK invest in an AI-driven future, the focus is shifting from raw compute power to the quality of the human experience it supports. For years, success was measured in megawatts and fibre miles; now a different metric is emerging: human impact.
In practical terms, that means measuring outcomes such as reduced exclusion, improved access to skills, and better everyday experiences for residents. A city teeming with sensors and high-density server racks is only as valuable as the tangible benefits it delivers to its residents.
Manchester is positioning itself at the forefront of this shift, treating digital infrastructure not as an end in itself, but as a foundational tool for social equity. The goal is to ensure that as the North becomes a global hub for high-performance computing, the “digital divide” does not widen into a permanent chasm.
Prioritising inclusion
Manchester’s Digital Strategy (2021-2026) makes it clear that technology must be an engine for inclusion, not a barrier. The strategy puts “Digital Inclusion” and “Digital Skills” at the heart of the city’s transformation. According to the plan, the city aims to ensure that every resident has the “access, skills, and confidence” to benefit from the digital economy.
This isn’t just about providing hardware; it’s about building infrastructure that supports a thriving, sustainable city for everyone. By focusing on removing barriers to access, Manchester is asking a critical question of every new data centre and edge deployment: Does this infrastructure leave anyone behind?
Life at low latency
While policy documents focus on inclusion, physical infrastructure shapes residents’ daily experience. In practice, “human-centric” design often means invisible benefits such as low latency and ubiquitous connectivity.
For a hybrid worker in a Manchester apartment, a nearby edge data centre can deliver a reliable video connection that makes remote collaboration feel natural. For a student in a community hub, it can unlock high-bandwidth AI learning tools that run smoothly even in neighbourhoods that have historically been underserved.
By bringing compute power closer to where people live and work, we aren’t just building “boxes” — we are building the environments that allow modern life to function reliably in the background.
Moving to people-first
At the design level, the industry trend is moving away from isolated “data fortresses” toward infrastructure that integrates into the urban fabric. This means designing data centres that are not just efficient, but also “good neighbours.”
This human-centric approach balances the high security requirements of digital infrastructure with public benefit and transparency. Whether through heat-reclaim systems that provide affordable warmth to nearby homes or through community-led “digital hubs,” the infrastructure is beginning to reflect the values of the people it serves.
Balancing security with accessibility
The challenge for 2026 is maintaining the digital backbone required for economic competitiveness while ensuring it remains accessible to all. Security is paramount, especially as more assets are designated as Critical National Infrastructure, but that security cannot come at the cost of shutting out the local community.
The most successful tech spaces of the next decade will be those that people actually want to inhabit, places where the technology is invisible, but the benefits — in skills, in warmth, and in connectivity — are felt by everyone.
- These questions are not just theoretical; they will be at the centre of discussion at the upcoming Manchester Edge & Digital Infrastructure Summit, to be held Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, 09:30 – 17:00 at No. 1 Circle Square, Manchester. Click here to register and learn more about how the evolution of human-centric infrastructure, from digital inclusion strategies to the physical design of the “smart” city, will be a key focus for industry leaders and policymakers alike.
