UCL and partners launch world’s first inclusive innovation district

The new district will bring together the public and private sectors with education, local communities, innovative enterprises, and tech companies. It will turn the park into an urban testbed for new processes and technologies that could improve life in cities.

UCL, UAL (University of the Arts London), Loughborough University London, Here East, Plexal, Lendlease and the London Legacy Development Corporation make up the core team behind the initiative.

The founding partners are working with more than 250 knowledge-intensive organisations on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This includes both large scale international firms and a strong entrepreneurial scene that has more than doubled in size since 2017. 

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) said: “We’re proud to be creating the SHIFT innovation district with partners who believe, as we do at UCL, in the power of research and exploration to transform lives. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with individuals, companies and organisations in east London and around the world to tackle the many challenges that cities face, including driving innovation in transport, health and how we tackle the climate crisis.” 

Read the full story on UCL News.

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Find out more about:

• SHIFT innovation district
• SHIFT and UCL: improving the delivery of complex building projects
• SHIFT and UCL: world’s first ‘hearing wellness district unveiled’
• UCL East campus

Photo © Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park