David Cameron has recently proposed the development of an ‘East London Tech City’, which will encompass the Olympic Park, to become the global centre of technological innovation. The initiative is intended to create private sector jobs and fuel growth in the economy. Andy Budd, Managing director of Clearleft, argues why a more open-scale plan will help the UK digital industry thrive…
The idea that East London in any way resembles Silicon Valley shows a distinct lack of government understanding about the technology industry. However, it is incredibly flattering that the government is starting to wake up to the importance of the UK tech sector. While many other sectors have been struggling, the Internet has been booming.
Is this newfound interest in the web simply a PR opportunity for the government? Hopefully the government is really starting to understand the value of the digital economy and investing appropriately. But while the plans for an East London Tech City are grand, they are missing the mark.
Rather than simply building a technology park, we need to take a more holistic view of the problem. We need to look at the factors necessary to stimulate and grow an ecosystem. In short, we need to create an artificial reef.
Building an industrial park on the Olympic Site is like building an artificial reef with the wrong PH levels. While some companies may be looking for large building in a big industrial park, that’s not the environment most start-ups are looking for.
Instead creative communities tend to form in areas with low cost, quirky offices in interesting parts of town. They have great independent coffee shops just around the corner, relaxed bars and nice restaurants. They have art galleries, independent cinemas and music venues; farmers markets, gastro pubs and small fashion retailers. They also have reasonable transport links and low rents. Places like Shoreditch, Bermondsey and now Dalston in London; Southpark, The Mission and DUMBO in the US.
In short, don’t try to build a scaled down version of Silicon Valley. Instead create an environment where people can experiment and ideas can propagate. Not through enterprise parks and business centres but through bars and coffee shops. That’s where innovation really happens.
Andy Budd
Managing director
www.Clearleft.com