13.06.17
Khan sets out plans to make London a world-leading ‘Smart City’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outlined ambitions to make London the world’s leading ‘smart city’ as he opened London Tech Week.
At the launch, Khan said technology was essential to solving many of the biggest economic, social and environmental challenges facing the city including air pollution, housing and the future of transport.
He also unveiled a new £1.6m Clean Tech Incubator called Better Futures which will help 100 small businesses in London deliver low-carbon and clean-tech products to tackle issues arising from climate change.
During his speech, Khan also reaffirmed his pledge to appoint London’s first chief digital officer who will work with the mayor and his Smart London Board to drive the development of ‘smart city’ technologies.
“As mayor of this great city – the best city in the world – it fills me with pride to see our tech sector thriving,” said Khan. “New technologies are having an enormous impact on our way of life - reshaping our societies, our economies and our culture.
“My ambition now is to harness the new technologies that are being pioneered right here to transform London into the world’s leading smart city.
“The potential for cutting-edge technology to tackle a host of social, economic and environmental challenges is immeasurable,” he concluded. “From air pollution and climate change to housing and transport, new technologies and data science will be at the heart of the long-term solutions to urban challenges.”
To coincide with the launch of London Tech Week, the mayor officially opened Plexal, Europe’s newest technology innovation destination, forming Europe’s biggest business innovation ecosystem at Here East.
Claire Cockerton, CEO of Plexal and London Tech Week ambassador, added that Plexal will become a truly unique innovation destination not only for London but the rest of the World.
“The success of London’s technology sector has been built on a strong culture of collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.
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