Siemens has opened its first centre for sustainable urban development, the Crystal, 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 centre, urban dialogue platform and technology and innovation centre 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 L?scher 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