IBM survey suggests that Glaswegians consider air quality, safety and security and cooperation between public and private sectors top priorities for their city

GLASGOW, U.K. - 22 Nov 2011: IBM's (NYSE:IBM) Smarter Cities survey, of over 2,000 adults from four UK cities, found that Glaswegians consider good air quality to be very important to living in any city, while safety and security and cooperation between public and private sectors were also highlighted as important. In spite of any concerns the survey suggests Glaswegians remain fiercely loyal to their city.

Key findings of the IBM Smarter Cities Survey include:

• Air quality is also considered to be very important by 69%* of people, but only 3% say that it is one of the best three things about Glasgow
• 83%* of Glaswegians think that safety and security is a very important part of living in any city
• 79% of Glaswegians think that better co-operation between public sector services would improve how Glasgow is run
• 78% of people surveyed in Glasgow said that they were proud to be from the city, more than any of the three other cities in the survey (London, Brighton, Leeds)
• People in Glasgow believe that having a greater say in shaping their city would improve how Glasgow is run. Moreover, 81% think that better communication from city leaders with the public would be similarly beneficial
• 62%* of Glaswegians see business opportunities as very important to a city

These issues are being discussed today on IBM's Smarter Cities Sofa at the BASE Glasgow conference. Delegates at the event will be invited to join IBM experts and external speakers on the sofa to discuss how to address Glasgow's challenges, and make it a Smarter City. Experts joining the debate will include:

• Gordon Matheson (Leader, Glasgow City Council)
• Stuart Patrick (CEO, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
• Jim McPhillimy (Managing Director, Groups Services, SSE)
• Keith Stark (Scottish Manager, City Car Club)

Glaswegians in the survey expressed a strong belief that the city would be run better if the public had a greater say in city matters. This is also tied to the result showing that 81% of Glaswegians think that better communication with the public by city leaders would improve the way Glasgow is run.

“This survey suggests Glaswegians believe greater outcomes could be achieved for the city through better communication and closer collaboration” commented Lynn Ferguson, IBM Industry Executive for Local Public Services. “The 'Smartest Cities' will be those that not only have an integrated view of the information associated with city systems such as the emergency services, energy, transport and healthcare, but who are also able to translate information into knowledge and go on to clearly communicate that knowledge. 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.”

Over three quarters of those surveyed in Glasgow believe that the private and public sectors working together more effectively would improve the way the city is run. Business opportunities are highlighted by 62%* of Glaswegians as being very important to any city.

Despite the survey highlighting suggested areas of improvement, with only 46% of those surveyed agreeing that Glasgow had a particular vision, 78% of people surveyed in Glasgow still said that they were proud to be from the city showing a strong sense of civic pride.

Notes to Editors

To join the Twitter conversation on the 22^nd November, use the hashtag #IBMBase

*This figure is the percentage of people who rate each factor as 8 or more out of 10 for importance. 

About the survey

ComRes conducted an online survey of over 2,000 adults across four cities - Glasgow, London, Leeds and Brighton between the 13th and 27th of May 2011. 500 Glaswegians participated. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults in each city by age and gender. 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: www.ibm.com/uk/cities

For more information about IBM visit: www.ibm.com

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