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Liverpool to Get Smart
LIVERPOOL has underlined its ambition to become the UK’s first ‘Smart City’ with a high-level debate on the benefits and challenges faced.
City leaders, captains of business and industry and technology experts met at Liverpool Town Hall to see how they can invest in the right solutions to leverage their existing IT, energy and human resources more effectively and provide better services to citizens.
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress legacy event was organised by the GEC’s principal sponsors, ScottishPower and Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company.
Smart cities can be identified along six main criteria: economy, mobility, environment, people, living and governance, all of which combined will help meet the growing 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 was joined by Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson; Luciana Berger, MP for Wavertree and shadow minister for energy and climate change; Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Energy Networks and 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.
Mike Parker, 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.”
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.”
Others who attended the event were Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside; Steve Rotherham MP for Walton; Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive of Liverpool City Council; Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool FC; Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Liverpool City Council; Elaine Bowker, principal of Liverpool Community College; Mike Taylor, executive director for business growth and marketing, Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership; and George Kirk, director of community strategy and market development at ScottishPower.
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.”
Ends
For further information please contact Jonathan Caswell, Head of Public Relations at Liverpool Vision on 0151 600 2946 / jcaswell@liverpoolvision.co.uk
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