Four researchers from Loughborough University’s Impact Hub delivered a series of presentations at the UK Sport Event Managers Workshop recently, showcasing the innovative application of geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence for urban planning and decision-making.
Dr Taimaz Larimian, along with Mohamed Shamroukh, Mihyun Kim and Dr Mohammad Forghani, presented twelve sessions to delegates from across UK sports and national governing bodies, demonstrating key platforms developed by the Impact Hub: the Town Observatory, Colouring Britain, and Loughborough in Motion.
Research Applications
Their presentations focused on the integration of large-scale geospatial data with machine learning, deep learning and computer vision technologies, showing how the platforms enable urban stakeholders to:
- Support evidence-based decision-making processes
- Enhance emergency response coordination
- Optimise resource allocation strategies
- Analyse current urban behavioural patterns
- Forecast future urban development trends
The team’s research generated a lot of interest from attendees, with delegates identifying numerous potential applications within the sports and events sector. One participant described the work as ‘mind blowing,’ reflecting the strong reception of an interdisciplinary approach to urban analytics.
Distinguished Speakers
The event also featured presentations by Professor Nick Jennings CB FRS FREng and Professor Georgina Cosma, who discussed the responsible integration of artificial intelligence across multiple domains and the role of university research in advancing the safe implementation of AI.
Acknowledgements
The team would like to thank Verity Postlethwaite for organising the event and facilitating this valuable exchange between academic researchers and sports sector professionals.
The work for the presentations was conducted under the supervision of Dr Asya Natapov and Dr Taimaz Larimian, with contributions from Impact Hub team members Dr Rob Harland, Dr Falli Palaiologou, Dr Aline Fernandes, Dr Cristina A. Goldschmidt Kiminami, Dr John Weightman and Pegah Aftabi.