SHIFT, in collaboration with Arup and University College London (UCL), has released  the "SHIFT Digital Frontiers" report, a visionary roadmap outlining the transformative use of London’s physical and data assets within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to drive innovation and act as London’s testbed for addressing pressing urban challenges. The report’s release coincides with London Data Week, underscoring the critical role of data, notably real-time data, in shaping the city’s sustainable future.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sparked a renaissance in east London’s tech and innovation sector. Building on this legacy, the SHIFT digital ecosystem emerges as the next wave of east London’s evolution, aiming to transform the Park into a pioneering digital R&D hub.

The SHIFT Digital Frontiers report is the product of a dynamic collaboration between SHIFT, Arup’s Foresight and Technical Services Teams, and the Connected Environments Lab at the UCL Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. The report outlines the background and future development roadmap of a real-time data ecosystem to act as a testbed for the city’s big issues.

The partnership has crafted a strategic vision advocating for an ambitious digital innovation ecosystem made up of startups, universities, large corporations and local authorities. Users of the Digital Frontiers platform will contribute hyper-local data and in turn enable testing and showcasing of new technologies. This ecosystem leverages data, technology infrastructure, and robust stakeholder engagement to address the climate emergency, urban health, and urban mobility.

The report articulates the strategic vision through three strategic themes: digital integration, inclusivity and environment. It also details nine essential technology requirements to ensure the digital platform’s scalability, reliability, and security, focusing on interoperable, real-time, and spatial data. Demonstrating end-to-end data journeys within the Park and beyond, a set of case studies highlights market differentiators and best practices, showcasing the potential for local and global impact. Finally, a comprehensive set of recommendations and actionable steps towards establishing governance models, addressing immediate challenges, and achieving quick wins are presented.

SHIFT Digital Frontiers aims to amplify east London’s data capabilities, acting as a digital testbed to create a template for city-wide adoption in London and beyond. By integrating three-dimensional assets with cutting-edge research hardware, the initiative sets a pioneering path for businesses to develop, test, and refine innovative solutions.

Beyond technical innovation, the SHIFT Digital Frontiers vision seeks to empower policymakers with live, actionable data, informing strategic decision-making within the UK government and beyond. It represents a transformative step towards a more informed, responsive, and dynamic governance model.

Abdul Rahim, SHIFT's Chief Innovation Officer, said: 

"We are excited to unveil the SHIFT Digital Frontiers report during London Data Week. This initiative marks a significant step in transforming the Park into a leading digital ecosystem that not only addresses climate challenges but also fosters urban health and mobility. Our collaboration with Arup and UCL has been instrumental in shaping a vision that leverages data and technology to create tangible, sustainable solutions for our communities." - Abdul Rahim, Chief Innovation Officer, SHIFT.

The SHIFT Digital Frontiers report can be downloaded here