Imperial academics onboard to help realise London's global ambitions

Making London smarter

Harnessing the potential of new technology and expertise to make London an even greater global centre for innovation

Harnessing the potential of new technology and expertise to make London an even greater global centre for innovation will be the focus of work carried out by a new board, which will be chaired by an Imperial academic.

The ‘Smart London’ board that includes leading academics, business people and entrepreneurs, will be chaired by Professor David Gann, Vice President Designate, Development and Innovation, and will include Professor John Polak, Chairman of the Centre for Transport Studies and Director of Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The board will 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.

Commenting on the launch of the Smart London Board, Professor Gann said: "With the help of the Smart London board we will harness London’s knowledge base - from London’s universities to its innovative entrepreneurs, from open to big data, from libraries to museums - in new ways, using new technology to create jobs and growth for the capital, and an even better London experience.”

The board will harness the creative energy and technical expertise to address the capital’s core challenges such as population growth, congestion, ageing infrastructure and reduced energy use. A key role of the board will be to analyse how the capital’s systems can be integrated further so that London as whole works more efficiently. 

London Mayor Boris Johnson added: “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.”