LONDON, 5th November 2010 - Cisco and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, responsible for the long term development and management of the Olympic Park, have today announced their commitment to explore opportunities for the Park to become a Smart+Connected Community.
The Legacy Company and Cisco will explore Cisco's Smart+Connected Communities vision for the Park to become a state-of-the-art community and a model for innovation working to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability following the London 2012 Games.
Smart+Connected Communities are part of Cisco's overall approach to making IP-based solutions akin to a fourth utility service for integrated city management. Cisco has already invested heavily in the UK around these services. In London alone Cisco has created 100 Network Academy® Programmes as well as undertaking innovative work with Newham Borough Council.
Cisco also intends to establish an Innovation Centre on the Olympic Park creating a centre for technical excellence and development, as well as a showcase for ways in which technology can continue to transform local businesses and communities.
Supporting Quotes:
- Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt said:
- Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company commented:
- Phil Smith, vice president and CEO of Cisco UKI commented:
"London 2012 is a fantastic opportunity for this country to demonstrate innovation and increase investment. Working with Cisco to explore opportunities to develop the Olympic Park after the Games will allow us to use their technical innovation and expertise to help create a lasting legacy for the UK long after the Games have finished."
"The Government's vision for east London and Cisco's ambitions to work with us provide a massive boost to our goal to build a sustainable legacy from the London 2012 Games."
"We want to develop a dynamic new piece of city that will act as a magnet for innovative businesses and jobs for future generations. With its excellent transport links, unique mix of housing, world class sporting venues and attractions, parklands and high bandwidth network, the Park will provide the perfect environment for the companies of the 21st century to flourish and grow."
"The creation of Smart+Connected Communities will be an important societal transformation over the next 10 years; with governments and communities around the world creating new possibilities for the way their populations, live, work, play and learn. Connectivity is not the end-game in advancing the way we operate as a society, but it is a keystone to improving the delivery of healthcare, education and utilities, achieving environmental targets and addressing social needs. Cisco is already collaborating on Smart+Connected Communities in countries such as the USA, Canada, South Korea, India, Portugal, Russia and Vietnam, and the prospect of creating such a substantial centre of excellence in London is a hugely exciting milestone, not just for the UK, but the world."
About the Olympic Park Legacy Company
The Olympic Park Legacy Company was established in May 2009 by its founders, the Government and Mayor of London, as a public sector not-for profit company, responsible for the long term planning, development, management and maintenance of the Olympic Park.
