‘Technology should reduce social inequality, not exacerbate it’

“This pandemic has helped us realise that we are all humans, not just these creatures who work 9 to 5. We must bring that compassion into our communities.” So said William Newton president and managing director of WiredScore as part of a podcast on how real estate could, and indeed should, make places and spaces better, safer and more inclusive. Newton was joined by Virginia Clegg, partner at DAC Beachcroft and Neil Impiazzi, partnership development director at SEGRO to discuss what a compassionate world might look like post-pandemic and how technology and the real estate sector can support this evolution. From understanding how and why technology can be as divisive as it is cohesive if not tackled democratically, to the role communities and cities can play in the fight for equality, this podcast explores how we must try to retain some of the new ways of thinking that have come into sharper focus in these unprecedented times. As DAC Beachcroft’s Clegg said, it is crucial that we remember the lessons we have learned: “Empathy and trust will be vital parts of our lives going forward as a result of what we have all collectively gone through,” she said. “We must make sure we don’t lose those things.” Reducing the digital divide The importance of connectivity is not a new concept. It is something that many have been championing for years and, when it comes to bricks and mortar, a well-connected building is a more efficient building. Crucially it is a more valuable building. Now, after an enforced period of remote working and varying degrees of isolation, there has been a marked shift for many as to what connectivity actually means and how it can be used. “From a corporate perspective, we’ve seen the importance of people being connected over the last few months,” said Clegg. “But I think realising how crucial tech has been in keeping us all in touch should make people think more about how that plays into building communities and how we make them better post Covid. We must keep in mind that it is not the same for all parts of the community. Some people are likely to be suffering more in this period due to a lack of technological support. We must harness what we’ve learned to effect change across society.” Newton agreed that technology needs to be looked at as more than just an enabler and something that brings people together. “It is actually something that could really divide us,” he said. “The digital divide can be seen in the clear gulf between the access to online learning independent and state schools have had during lockdown. It has meant that children at state schools were about five times less likely to receive full-time education during this time than those at independent schools. Technology should not be there to exacerbate inequality; it should be there to reduce inequality. But unless we take significant action, it’s not going to be the enabling force that brings together communities. Instead it will be a wedge that further separates the people who have the ability to learn and get ahead from those who don’t. “I will for a world where the internet can be a remarkable democratising force. For that we need high internet speeds that are really reliable across all premises in the United Kingdom and better access for all to devices.” It is crucial, added Impiazzi, that the real estate sector takes responsibility for this divide and looks to reduce it wherever it can across all developments and projects. “If you look at our development and portfolio across London, and particularly in East London, we are investing in areas that you would consider to be areas of deprivation. We understand the challenges around broadband capabilities in some of these areas and we see them impact communities and businesses. It is clear that this connective infrastructure is vital to enhancing or regenerating an area, from education right through to employment and employability. The development sector, from residential to industrial, should be working closer together to pool strengths and co-regenerate areas.” Digitally enhanced planning As Clegg went on to point out, lockdown has highlighted other key issues that were well-known to be a problem before the pandemic but have now been brought into sharp focus – particularly in terms of community requirements. “There has definitely been a lot of conversation during lockdown about how green space supports wellbeing,” she said. “One of our biggest challenges as a business has been supporting our colleagues for whom their home-working environment has been perhaps acceptable one or two days a week, but not long term. So how do we address this going forward in the planning of spaces? What questions do we ask about what these communities might need? Are we providing housing developments with that green space, access to community facilities, shops and services?” The more compassionate world we strive to have at the end of this will be one with more empathy. Empathy that has been built up, in many cases, by technology – William Newton, WiredScore Impiazzi pointed out that a more digitally enhanced planning system – something else that has been accelerated during lockdown – could potentially help with this. And Newton added that the key will be remembering the lessons learned once life returns to a semblance of normality. “Let’s hope we remember how to be more understanding of each other,” he said. “Whether that means allowing the flexibility to work from home maybe a couple of days a week, which would have been unthinkable four years ago, or really looking at the fight for racial equality around the world and the need to exhibit more compassion and empathy. [The actor] Will Smith said a few years ago that racism is not getting worse, it’s just getting filmed. And I think you can generate more compassion by literally seeing what is happening around the world. The more compassionate world we strive to have at the end of this will be one with more empathy. Empathy that has been built up, in many cases, by technology.” To send feedback, e-mail emily.wright@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmilyW_9 or @estatesgazette