Member Article

Liverpool leaders debate route to ‘Smart City’

City leaders, captains of business and industry, and technology experts have underlined Liverpool’s ambition to become the UK’s first ‘Smart City’.

A debate on the benefits and challenges took place at Liverpool Town Hall, addressing how more effective investment in IT, energy and human resources could provide better services to citizens.

The Global Entrepreneurship Congress legacy event was organised by the GEC’s principal sponsors, ScottishPower and Liverpool Vision.

Smart cities are seen to be identified along six main criteria: economy, mobility, environment, people, living and governance.

It is these criteria that will help meet the needs of communities in an era when city populations are growing and placing greater demands on infrastructure and the vital services they deliver.

Mike Parker, Chairman of Liverpool Vision and Liverpool’s Smart City board, told delegates: “Future investment will flow into those cities that can demonstrate they have an innovative, green, adaptive infrastructure and this is why we want to become, a Smart City.

“Like our competitor cities Liverpool faces many economic, social and technological challenges but we are in a remarkably good position to meet them.

“Our ambition is matched by our determination and our enterprise is matched by our creativity.

“We have an elected Mayor on the Prime Minister’s mayoral cabinet who works closely with Liverpool Vision, an organisation configured for partnership and it is the strength of our relationships with the private sector, the universities, Homes and Communities Agency and other agencies that has enabled us to transform the city and raise our ambition and will continue to do so in the future.”

Mike was joined by Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, as well as Luciana Berger, MP for Wavertree and shadow minister for energy and climate change; Frank Mitchell, chief executive of ScottishPower Energy Networks; Neil Clitheroe, chief executive of Scottish Power, Retail and Generation; and Volker Buscher, director in Arup’s consulting practice and leader of the information and communications technology business.

Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Energy Networks, said: “As an integral part of the local community, ScottishPower is committed to supporting Liverpool’s Smart City ambitions.

“We want to help make Liverpool a city of growth and we will continue to invest in its infrastructure and seek to create and support local employment.”

Mayor Anderson said: “The concept of being a Smart City is one that we must investigate and embrace, if we are to make the most of the giant steps we have taken in recent years.

“I want a smarter and fitter economy with first class transport and communications infrastructure in a smart environment with people enjoying the benefits of smart living - healthier, wealthier and happier.

“It holds the promise of being more competitive, investing in our human and social capital and in our education in which everyone holds an interest, because it is about their continuing well-being and future prosperity.

“Ultimately, Smart City is about jobs and it is about economic growth and creating a better future and they are my main priorities as Mayor.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .