Cities: what IT could do for London

First published by Global Futures, February 2013

James Woudhuysen joined this debate at the Global Futures event on Technology, Disruption and Convergence in February 2013. Speaking on the topic of ‘What IT could do for London‘, James challenges IT professionals to step outside the virtual world and change the capital physically.

In a challenge to the rather complacent and introspective IT industry, James Woudhuysen presents some areas requiring bold thinking and ambitious action around real world IT problems in London.

James identifies four areas where new and creative thinking and the application of IT could help make some impact on the major challenges experienced in London – such as Housing, Signage, Energy and Research and Development (R&D)

Housing – the challenge of providing the volume of houses needed demands mass manufacture using advanced industrial techniques such as robotics, ‘just in time’ processes etc.

Signage – for signage to be effective for the diverse population of London, including for older people and immigrants, it requires a transformation providing new design formats, self-cleaning ability, multi-lingual capability etc.

Energy – London needs new energy supplies and the sustainabable plans currently being discussed will not meet the demand required in London.

R&D – Government needs to take a role in the sponsorship and financing of long-term investments. Most significantly however, Government needs to show political leadership and inspire and influence some of the key players within the City – finance, banking, property development, charities etc – to commit their support to ambitious investment and activity.