News

On 25 March 2025, the IHE Mercia Branch organised an inspiring CPD event on ‘Drone-Ready Cities’ at the Sir Frank Whittle Building in Coventry University, in collaboration with the Coventry University Civil Engineering Curriculum.

The session brought together over 100 participants, both in person and online, for an engaging and thought provoking discussion on how drone technology is set to revolutionise urban environments.

The highlight of the day was an insightful presentation by Sunil Budhdeo FIHE, transport innovation manager at Coventry City Council, who discussed the growing importance of drone technology in shaping the future of cities.

In 2022, the Government awarded Coventry City Council a grant of £268,175 via the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF) to deliver drone-ready cities in partnership with Midlands Aerospace Alliance, which started in September 2023. The RPF is a grant-based fund to help UK regulators and local authorities create a UK regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment. The current £12m round is being delivered by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Mr Budhdeo’s talk shed light on how drones are helping to address key challenges in urban transportation, from alleviating congestion to improving sustainability.

He said: ‘It was a privilege to present at such an engaging event. The discussions around the potential of drone technology in our cities are crucial, as we look towards creating sustainable and effi cient urban environments. The level of engagement from degree apprentice students shows a real commitment to shaping the future of transport and I’m excited to see where these conversations will take us. Drone technology offers numerous possibilities for improving our cities and it is inspiring to see so many professionals and students eager to explore these opportunities.’

Drones, once seen as a futuristic concept, are rapidly becoming a reality in cities worldwide, offering solutions for efficient monitoring, delivery systems and even infrastructure maintenance.

Dr Ramy Shaltout MPWI MCIHT, assistant professor and course director of MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering at Coventry University, expressed his enthusiasm about the event: ‘I am delighted to see the enthusiasm and innovation this platform has sparked among students, engineers and industry professionals.  ‘This event is not just about showcasing cutting-edge drone technology but also about shaping the cities of the future. Drones will play a crucial role in transportation, infrastructure and public services. By fostering collaboration and forward-thinking ideas, we are equipping the next generation of engineers and innovators to reimagine the possibilities of drone technology in modern urban life.’

Dr Shervin Motamedi CEng FIHE FCIHT, course director of Coventry University’s undergraduate civil engineering portfolio of courses, highlighted the value of the event for both students and professionals: ‘The IHE Mercia Branch organised a fantastic event, providing a platform that fosters holistic, innovation-driven learning for both industry professionals and degree apprentice students at Coventry University. With events like this, the path towards drone-ready cities becomes clearer, where technology, innovation and collaboration play a central role in shaping the cities of the future.’

Dr Motamedi also emphasised: ‘Events like these are crucial in shaping the future, where the gaps between industry and academia are closing. Degree apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for early-career professionals to engage with research-driven, innovation-inspired learning, alongside hands-on experience, enabling learners to acquire knowledge through practical application while also benefi ting from academic learning. We are proud to ‘This event is not just about showcasing cutting-edge drone technology but also about shaping the cities of the future. Drones will play a crucial role in transportation, infrastructure and public services. By fostering collaboration and forward-thinking ideas, we are equipping the next generation of engineers and innovators to be the second-largest training provider of civil engineering degree apprenticeships in the UK and have trained hundreds of civil engineering apprentices working in the highways and transport sector.’

Special thanks go to Dr Fazal Baqueri and Dr Shaltout at Coventry University and Harriet Memery, senior transport planner at Jacobs, for their efforts in organising this event.