Boris Johnson Launches 'Smart London' Vision

The Mayor of London has announced a top line-up of experts including leading academics, businesses and entrepreneurs to develop a "Smart London' vision.

This puts technological innovation at the heart of making the capital an even better place to live, work and invest.

The move forms part of Boris Johnson’s ambition for London to be the best big city in the world by helping businesses to harness technology and develop cutting edge ideas and products that will help meet the challenges that all global cities face.

The Mayor wants the 'Smart London' board, chaired by Professor David Gann, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Imperial College Business School, to look at how the capital can best use technology and data to ensure it remains one of the world’s most efficient and liveable cities.

The board was formally launched on the Mayor’s behalf on Friday by Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise, who will be responsible for implementing its work across the Greater London Authority.

Drawn from London's world-leading universities and businesses, the board will also help to harness the capital’s creative energy and technical expertise to address the capital’s core challenges such as population growth, congestion, ageing infrastructure and reduced energy use.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "London has been at the forefront of technological wizardry for generations, but in a rapidly changing world we will need to work harder than ever to stay ahead of the game.

"We must harness the huge potential that new technology offers us and by drawing on the expertise of some of the brightest minds around we can make our great city an even smarter one too. I’m delighted to welcome on board a fantastic line up of experts to help spur the kind of innovation and entrepreneurship that will secure London’s future as the best big city on earth."

(GK)