Is London a smart city? Cities across the globe are slowly being transformed into ‘smart cities’, the destinations of the future. At the forefront of this change, the UK has been implementing smart digital infrastructure in its biggest cities for more than a decade and the biggest hub is in the British capital of London. As one of the world’s most important cities, London has been a leader in introducing advanced technologies, and smart mobility and bringing an ease of life to London residents and workers. Ranked top in the 2024 edition of IESE’s Cities in Motion Index, London excels as a smart city.
Why is London a Smart City
A smart city is one that uses advanced technology and the data collected from it to improve daily operations and services. London is a pioneer in the space of smart cities, one of the most advanced in the world that continues to develop. The city is constantly introducing ground-breaking technology and new systems to make daily life easier for those who live and work there.
The city has a large network of sensors, cameras, robotics, and drones that create systems that are designed to make the city safer and more efficient. Within its smart infrastructure, London offers smart mobility and traffic management through its road networks, charging schemes and advanced public transportation systems. It also has technological strategies in place to improve air quality, enhance security and increase energy efficiency which will make London a great place to reside. It is also one of the best-connected cities in the world with extensive public Wi-Fi and Internet of Things (IoT) devices around the city, in addition to strong 5G connectivity that is also crucial to the reliability and efficiency of London’s smart infrastructure.
When did London Become a Smart City?
Considered to be the first smart city in the UK, London has used data to improve services since 1894. At this point in history, the city used important data to develop a life-saving map during a cholera outbreak. Since then, the city has used data to its advantage to improve daily life for its inhabitants. However, in the term ‘smart city’ that we know today, London has been a smart city for the last two decades, with new technology introduced in 2002.
London Smart City Features
With such an extensive list, it is impossible to address every feature and strategy that makes it a smart city. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it generates an idea of the features that make London a smart city.
Traffic management
The UK capital is an innovator in smart traffic management. The second city in the UK to introduce the Congestion Charge, London continuously aims to reduce congestion and emissions. The scheme charges drivers to enter the zone to limit the number of vehicles entering the city and encourage public transportation. More recently, the city adopted an Ultra Low Emission Zone, which has helped redirect select vehicles. London’s smart traffic management also offers drivers alternative routes to avoid congestion, road closures and incidents, ensuring that commuters can navigate the city smoothly.
Smart Public Transportation
Operated by Transport for London (TfL), the city is home to one of the world’s largest and most impressive public transport networks. With bus services, the London Overground, the Tube, tram services, river buses, the IFS Cloud Cable Car and the Docklands Light Railway in operation throughout the city, London is extremely well connected. To enhance the efficiency of these services, the city has introduced smart technology. This provides commuters and travellers with real-time updates that advise of upcoming departures as well as service delays and cancellations. These real-time updates are available at transportation platforms and can be directly delivered to your device via an app. This smart technology also offers alternative routes that may be faster, more eco-friendly or helpful in the event of delay or cancellation. Most services also feature a smart display that showcases the next stop they are approaching, perfect for tourists who are unsure of their journey. Additionally, London continues to add electric vehicles to its fleet with the aim to have a complete zero-emission fleet by 2034. It also offers smart ticketing and contactless payments across its network.
Autonomous vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are the next generation of ride-sharing with companies like Wayve and Waymo taking over US cities. With the Automated Vehicles Act passed by the UK government in May 2024, these ride-sharing services could be active on UK roads as early as 2026. One of the world’s largest self-driving ride-share companies, Wayve, is a British-based company whose AI and vehicles learnt on the streets of London. With the introduction of autonomous vehicles as a method of transportation in the next couple of years, London will further increase its status as a smart city.
Air Quality Monitoring
London currently operates an Air Quality Network, a world-first pilot of green lamp posts that reduce air pollution across the city. The Smart Pillar is featured within lamp posts, across Belgravia initially, to reduce air pollution by incorporating vegetation into the design. The city also monitors air quality levels through designated stations across the city. Following the success of the city’s Congestion Charge, London later introduced ULEZ in 2019. The Ultra Low Emission Zone is currently the largest clean air zone in the world. Covering every London borough, the ULEZ is designed to improve London’s air quality and help combat climate change.
Smart Waste Management
To make the city cleaner and more efficient, London has smart waste management in operation in many areas of the city. This reduces unnecessary waste collection and overflow by monitoring fill levels through sensors. Several London boroughs now operate solar-powered Bigbelly bins to manage waste with the ability to hold six to ten times more waste than a traditional bin and alert collection services when necessary.
Public security
Public safety is a core value of the city and London utilises cameras across the city to enhance public security. These interconnecting cameras can monitor incidents as they progress, alert emergency services and some also provide facial recognition. In addition to assisting in emergencies, they also act as a deterrent for criminal activity.