This practice advice demonstrates what planners can do to ensure the right conditions are in place for the growth of the tech sector. It highlights the opportunities new technology offers for planning. This advice builds on our Planning and Tech policy paper published in 2016.
The tech sector is at the heart of the UK economy and is driving an economic resurgence in many cities. The sector is growing almost one third faster than the rest of the economy and it had a turnover of £161 billion in 2016. Tech companies are transforming the employment landscape, driving productivity, and reimagining traditional industries. From a planning point of view, the growth of the tech sector means the spatial footprint of tech companies is increasingly evident across the country, particularly in urban areas.
The aims of this practice note are twofold:
- To demonstrate what planners and policy makers can do to ensure that the conditions are in place to encourage the growth of the tech sector in their area.
- To increase awareness amongst planners of the opportunities new technology is providing to help them in their work.
