Sharing Cities brings together European leaders to encourage smart transport technology

This meeting (which was hosted in Greenwich and arranged by European smart cities and communities programme Sharing Cities) coincided with the launch of a Zero Emissions Delivery Scheme in Greenwich which aims to reduce congestion and poor air quality caused by delivery vehicles.

Backed with €24 million of EU funding, Sharing Cities is bringing together innovators, city governments and businesses to trigger €500 million of private investment in cities over the next three years, with improving the way cities approach smart transport logistics being a core aspect of the programme.

“Sharing Cities is about bringing leaders in cities across Europe together to ensure that people can enjoy the benefits of new smart technologies and services,” said Sharing Cities Programme Director Nathan Pierce. “Collaboration between cities is essential if we are to realise the true potential of smart cities. The Greenwich meeting proved an excellent way of promoting a close-working relationship between leaders across Europe.”

In London, Sharing Cities is testing electric logistics vehicles, while in Lisbon it is piloting an e-bike network and in Milan it is installing electric charging points for low-pollution vehicles.

“Smart technologies can help to improve quality of life for people who live and work in cities,” added Eurocities Smart Cities Project Coordinator Bernadett Koteles-Degrendele. “They can improve air quality, tackle congestion, and reduce the cost of delivering vital public services. It’s crucial that European leaders from across the continent work together to address the barriers preventing full implementation of smart city technologies.”

Sharing Cities is initially testing smart technologies in Bordeaux, Burgas, Lisbon, London, Milan, and Warsaw.