Building a better life science future in Cambridge

WE ASKED OUR PANEL TO PICK ONE ISSUE WHERE CAMBRIDGE SHOULD FOCUS OVER THE NEXT DECADE

Over the page are their closing thoughts...

Colin Brown: “It's vitally important for Cambridge and Oxford to be seen as being open for business. There is a danger in the perception of ‘what, more lab space?’ and the idea that with all the Life Science development that is happening, we've saturated the marketplace. In fact, it’s miniscule on a global scale. We have two of the top universities in the world and yet we actually have a relatively minor amount of the of the research and development space globally.”

Emily Slupek: “We’ve got to be careful that Levelling Up, the flagship domestic policy, isn't about whether we invest inside or outside of the Golden Triangle. There's a huge opportunity here that we must not dampen down by pushing away from Oxford, Cambridge, and London. Our growth trajectory needs to be supported by decent homes and enough infrastructure so that people living in disparate locations are able to travel in, which will help with affordability.”

Jamie Shearman: “There’s a lot of dynamism in the sector – here and overseas – and so seeing Cambridge building on its strengths and really going for it is hugely important. That ambition exists in other cities and it doesn’t matter how good you are, resting on your laurels is never a good place to be.”

Galvin Tarling: “I'd like to see the University of Cambridge come back to the fore and extend its prominence and influence. It would be a shame if it was overshadowed by what the private sector is doing. I look at our portfolio of work in Oxford and where the University is going, perhaps partly in the back of the vaccine discovery. Lots of things of development at scale is underway.”

John Flin: “The focus needs to be on infrastructure. That's about the East West Rail links across the region, and connectivity within Cambridge itself, but also about the longer term horizon we are heading towards, which may be a future without cars.”

Matt Dunkley: “Cambridge leading the way and setting the pace in finding lower carbon ways to live and work will make a positive difference in Life Science and other sectors.”

John Steele: If Cambridge wants to maintain its position as a global science and R&D superpower, and given the lack of available lab space, there is a need for the planners, clients and design teams to enhance collaboration and work together if we are going to realise rapid growth, development and construction of new science buildings to meet this urgent demand.

David Rowsell: "It's been interesting listening to the experts about the huge focus they have in their industry on R&D. In our own way we have that within our business and Intelligent Solutions really captures that. I'd like to see how we can help serve our life science clients earlier using tools like CarboniCa to add value in delivering validating low carbon solutions in design."