Glasgow has annouced that it has become the first UK city to win a grant from the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge initiative.

The grant provides Glasgow with access to IBM's top experts to analyse and recommend ways the city can become an even better place in which to live, work and play.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program in which IBM is awarding a total of $50 million worth of technology and services to 100 municipalities worldwide over the next three years.

Teams of specially selected IBM experts will provide city leaders with analysis and recommendations to support successful growth, better delivery of city services, more citizen engagement, and improved efficiency.

Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is fantastic news and will help Glasgow as we move forward with our aim to become a European leader in environmental, social and economic sustainability.

“Through IBM’s Smarter Cities initiative we hope to maximise the tremendous opportunities for Glasgow to develop low-carbon energy technologies, efficient homes, the provision of affordable heat and the creation of sustainable communities. By reducing energy costs and helping to tackle fuel poverty for poorer sections of our community we hope to have a real impact on improving people’s health and quality of life.