Siemens has opened its first center for sustainable urban development in London.
The
heart of the Crystal is the world's largest exhibition dedicated to
sustainable urban development. The crystal-shaped building will serve as
a conference center, urban dialogue platform and technology and
innovation center all in one, bringing together political
decision-makers, infrastructure experts and the general public in order
to develop concepts for the future of cities and their infrastructures.
'Cities are the engines of the world economy and also have the greatest
impact on the environment.
The
development of our planet will stand or fall with the development of
cities. Looking ahead to the urban future, the Crystal showcases a wide
variety of opportunities and concrete solutions,' said Siemens President
and CEO Peter Loscher at the opening ceremony.
After
a construction phase of about a year and a half, the Crystal brings an
architectural highlight and one of the world's greenest buildings to the
British capital. Siemens invested some EUR35 million in the project.
Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, the building features a 270-seat
auditorium as well as the world's largest exhibition on urban
sustainability.
Boasting
an area of 2,000 square meters, the exhibition presents existing
infrastructure solutions that make life in cities more sustainable and
environmentally friendly while enhancing its quality. At the Crystal,
experts from the Siemens Center of Competence Cities engage in research
and development geared to technologies and innovations for tomorrow's
urban infrastructures. In addition, the Infrastructure & Cities
Sector will coordinate its City Account Managers from the Crystal.
'Cities
worldwide are making investments to improve their water supplies, power
grids, transportation systems and building infrastructures. Our
addressable market alone has a volume of EUR300 billion.
In
this growth market, the Crystal will help us intensify dialogue with
our customers. The Crystal is our Sector's showcase, contact point and
mastermind,' noted Roland Busch, member of the Managing Board of Siemens
AG and CEO of the Infrastructure & Cities Sector. With roughly
87,000 employees, the Sector provides sustainable technologies for urban
areas and their infrastructures.
Following
its inauguration, the Crystal will serve as the venue for two
conferences. On September 20, the UN Habitat program will bring together
municipal decision-makers and city planners at a conference entitled
Urban Planning for City Leaders. On September 21, participants at the
future-oriented Digital Life Design Cities conference, sponsored by
Hubert Burda Media, will address questions relating to sustainable urban
development and visions for smart cities.
Encompassing
an area of more than 6,300 square meters, the Crystal is a paragon of
energy efficiency. The facility consumes 50 percent less power and emits
65 percent less carbon dioxide than comparable office buildings.
Renewable
energy sources meet the Crystal's heating and cooling needs, a
photovoltaic system generates green electricity, and rainwater is
harvested for use. On the BREEAM and LEED international assessments for
energy-efficient buildings, the Crystal will receive top scores
(Outstanding and Platinum, respectively) - making it one of the greenest
facilities in the world.
Covering
2,000 square meters, the interactive exhibition will guide visitors
through the urban infrastructure of the future, focusing on
possibilities for sustainable mobility, building technologies, power and
water supplies, and healthcare.
The conference center is an independent forum for engineers, architects, city planners and municipal decision-makers.
The
Crystal is home to the first and largest of three Centers of Competence
Cities. The Center in London offers Siemens experts and external
professionals a platform for conducting research and exchanging ideas.
The two smaller centers are slated to be built in Shanghai and
Washington in the coming years.
The
Crystal is located in the Borough of Newham, at the historic Royal
Victoria Docks. The facility will be open to the public on September 29.
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