Thirty years ago, Sunderland secured city status, a reflection of the shared hope and ambition of its
three component boroughs.
In the years that have followed, the city has demonstrated its collective strength, transforming from a
place of heavy industry to a weightless world of tech, trading mining for motor manufacturing and
shipbuilding for service centres. And with industrial change, the city’s fortunes are transforming.
Sunderland is evolving into a vibrant, dynamic, healthy smart city – a place where people can realise
their potential and enjoy a fulfilling life with access to world-class amenities, experiences and
opportunities.