World’s first “smart street” coming to London

The New West End Company is set to bring a world first in technology and retail to London in what it is calling a “smart street”, which will feature next-generation technology, fashion, innovation and sustainable retail concepts.

Taking over Bird Street, which is just off Oxford Street, the New West End Company has said that the project with funding from Transport for London’s Future Streets incubator scheme, will provide a tech-friendly, traffic-free hub that will be “an oasis of technology, fashion, innovation, and sustainability”.

The street will feature cutting-edge sustainable technologies, including bringing in PaveGen technology which generates electricity from pedestrian movement, and Airlite’s revolutionary air purifying paint.

In addition, in partnership with Appear Here, the leading marketplace for temporary spaces, Bird Street will also feature a “curated collection of pioneering pop-ups” that will mix fashion, technology and alfresco dinning, said the New West End Company.

The “smart street” is expected to launch in May 2017 and the New West End Company and Appear Here are actively seeking “interesting and innovative fashion and tech brands” to participate in the project.

Artist impression: courtesy of Harry Dobbs Design, Architects and Urban Designers