A new Catapult centre that will help make cities become smarter and more forward thinking will be hosted in London, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced, following on from the news that Glasgow will host the Future Cities demonstrator.
The Catapult will be funded by up to GBP50m over five years through the Technology Strategy Board. With additional private sector inputs, the funding for the centre is expected to rise to around GBP150m.
The Catapult will look at ways in which services across areas such as health, transport, energy and public safety can be integrated, helping to boost the economy and benefit citizens. The Catapult will play a key part in the government’s industrial strategy and give real insight into how our cities can be smarter in the future. It is also estimated that the global market opportunities for future cities is in the region of GBP200bn a year by 2030.
The Minister also announced that the Catapult will be chaired by Sir David King.
Cable says: “One of the decisions of this government I am most proud of is establishing a chain of Catapults across the UK. These are national centres of excellence, promoting innovation in collaboration with business.
“The Future Cities Catapult centre will be hosted in London, working in collaboration with the Future Cities demonstrator project in Glasgow. This latest addition to the Catapults network will complement those established in high value manufacturing, satellite applications, cell therapy, offshore renewable energy, transport systems and connected digital economy.
“In Sir David King we have also appointed an excellent chair, with real expertise in this area. His knowledge will drive forward the Catapult and ensure that the UK leads the way when it comes to making sure our cities are smarter and more forward thinking.”
King says: “The challenges the modern city faces globally as we move through the 21st century cannot be underestimated. I am honoured to have been appointed chair of the Future Cities Catapult which will tackle some of the most critical issues we currently face as a society.”
King is most known for his role as Chief Scientific Advisor to the government (2000 – 2007) where he worked closely with the Prime Minister and Cabinet on key scientific issues including climate change. He was also prolific in setting up the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (a department of the University of Oxford) to address global environmental challenges.
The Future Cities Catapult is part of a network of technology and innovation centres established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board as a long-term investment that will open up global opportunities for the UK and generate economic growth for the future.
The Catapult will work closely with Glasgow city council, who recently won GBP24m of government funding for a future cities demonstrator. The demonstrator will work alongside the Catapult in London to make sure there are opportunities for innovative UK businesses to develop integrated urban solutions that can be sold to cities across the world.
The Future Cities Catapult will be active later this year will work closely with other Catapults in the network including Transport Systems, Connected Digital Economy and Satellite Applications.