SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – London

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries London has earned a reputation as a global trendsetter. Culturally diverse and cosmopolitan, it is also seen as highly influential in a number of areas from science, research and education through to culture, media, fashion and architecture.

As a smart city, London is similarly seen as both a thought leader and pioneer. It launched the integrated transport Oyster smartcard back in 2003 and in the same year introduced a congestion charge. In 2010 it established an open data platform and brought in a pay-as-you-go bike scheme.

It’s no surprise then that the city consistently performs well in smart city and other rankings. It was top in the annual IESE Cities in Motion Index 2020 for the second consecutive year, with the report hailing its human capital, governance, urban planning, mobility and transport, and technology.

In 2021, London overtook New York as having the highest concentration of dollar millionaires in the world. It is ranked joint top alongside New York of the City Wealth Index by property company Knight Frank based on the three factors of wealth, investment and lifestyle. There is, however, great disparity when it comes to income and wealth in the UK capital.

This, along with the longer term-impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) and the country’s poor performance in the Covid-19 pandemic, are among the complex set of challenges it faces if London is to remain one of the world’s most influential and enviable cities.

Among the highlights in this report:

• an exploration of London’s citywide digital transformation and smart city initiatives, including how it is treating data as importantly as its road, rail and energy networks
• the city’s attempts to decarbonise itself by initiatives Ultra-Low Emission Zones, a Green New Deal, and a push on electric mobility
• how London is revolutionising how its citizens are travelling around the city, from cycle networks and micro-mobility, to pedestrianisation and public transport.

Find out more about London’s smart city strategy in this 22 page report.