Cambridge is emerging as one of the UK’s main hubs for hi-tech industry
○ Location:
■ City lies 80 km north of London
■ Close to the M11
■ Located in one of UK’s growth corridors
● Hi-tech industry began in Cambridge with the Cambridge Science Park
○ Opened in 1970 by Trinity College
○ Many universities made links with the CSP
■ Over 1, 500 information technology and biotechnology companies are based there
● Many hi-tech companies started off as small start-up businesses , formed by university graduates
○ eg/ Abcam (biotech company)
■ Based at CSP
■ Produces antibodies used in the treatment of diseases
■ Company is worth £1 billion
■ Employs 200 staff with PhD degrees
● Reasons for growth of science/business parks:
○ Large and growing demand for hi-tech products
■ Science parks help develop new technology for these products
○ UK has a high number of strong research universities → businesses form links with them
○ Clusters of related businesses in one place can boost another
Environmental sustainability:
→ Environmental sustainability = Actions/forms of progress that meet the demands placed on the environment of
the present , without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their own environmental needs
● Sustainable examples from Cambridge Science Park:
○ The site has a generator that uses biomass → has lead to a 10% reduction CO 2
■ Uses renewable biomass
○ There are 132 cycle parking spaces and 9 showers on site → encourages people to cycle
○ 50% of timber (wood) used in buildings is from sustainable sources
○ 11% of Cambridge Science Park commuters currently car share → decrease in carbon emissions
● Un-sustainable examples from Cambridge Science Park:
○ Park was built on farmland → which is a greenfield site
■ Has resulted in a loss of ecosystems and farmland
■ 3,800 workers travelling to/from the park daily → massive traffic congestion
● Increased air pollution due to cars → respiratory diseases