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IBM survey reveals Londoners believe better cooperation between public sector services would improve the way the city is run; Londoners surveyed also wanted closer communication with city leaders(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LONDON, UK -- IBM's (NYSE:IBM) Smarter Cities survey, of over 2,000 adults from four UK cities, has found that Londoners want better cooperation between public sector services, as well as closer communication with their city leaders. Key findings of the IBM Smarter Cities Survey include: These issues are being discussed today on IBM's Smarter Cities Sofa at the BASE London conference. Delegates at the event will be invited to join IBM experts and external speakers on the sofa to discuss how to address London's challenges, and make it a Smarter City. Experts joining the debate will include: There appears to be a strong belief in localism in the capital; surveyed Londoners said that responsibility for improving their city falls upon local councils (53% rated them as one of the two most responsible bodies) and the mayor (42%). The local community (32%) was seen as more important, in terms of improving the city, than central government (24%). However, despite this focus on the council, the services that surveyed Londoners felt are most important are health, policing and education (in that order) -- policy areas that the council doesn't directly control. "This survey shows Londoners are keen for greater efficiency through closer collaboration" commented Lynn Ferguson, IBM Industry Executive for Local Public Services. "The 'Smartest Cities' will be those that have an integrated view of the information associated with city systems such as energy, transport, healthcare and water. Those that do will be best placed to deliver improvements in the quality of public services and in the creation of attractive locations for people and business alike." Londoners, according to the survey, find the cost of living to be the worst aspect of living in London, with 69% of people citing it as one of the three biggest problems. Affordability of housing is a particular headache, with a third of those surveyed saying it is the main factor that would make them move to another city. People from London are most likely to describe their city as "expensive" (72%), while those from Brighton, Glasgow and Leeds are most likely to use the positive word, "vibrant". On the subject of communication between city leaders and Londoners, Steven Norris, Chair of the BASE London Advisory Board and previous Conservative candidate for London Mayor, commented "The 40 sheet poster doesn't work, free newspapers are too dear and not enough people read them. Only the internet has the power to reach the millions of people who either live or work in London. Social networks now boast more members than most countries. Imaginative viral campaigns aimed at specific interests in London but all bound together by the overarching theme of living in the world's greatest city has to be the way forward." Despite any challenges they might face, Londoners remain proud of their city; 72% of those questioned said that they were proud to say they are from London. Notes to Editors To join the Twitter conversation on the 22 nd May, use the hashtag #IBMBase About the survey ComRes conducted an online survey of 506 Londoner adults between the 13th and 27th of May 2011. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all London adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abide by its rules. Full data tables can be found at: www.comres.co.uk About IBM Smarter Cities For more information on IBM's Smarter Cities initiative visit: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/uk/en/sustainable_cities/visions/index.html For more information about IBM visit: www.ibm.com Contact(s) information John Galvez IBM UK External Relations 07734 104275 [email protected] Related resources Photo Infographic: How Smart Is Your City? ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). (c) 2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |