Bristol aims to become the world's first open programmable city through a city-wide digital infrastructure project called Bristol Is Open. The project will create an open software defined network, Internet of Things platform, and means of collecting and analyzing big data to enable mass co-creation of smart city applications. This will allow Bristol to better manage challenges associated with major trends like rapid urbanization, new technologies, demands for sustainable cities, and empowered citizens. Bristol Is Open has received £75 million in funding and will roll out its digital network starting in late 2015, engaging a wide range of partners from academia, businesses, technology companies and communities.