Life sciences infrastructure can lead to significant economic growth and revival, says Jackie Sadek, a prominent figure in urban regeneration.
- Sadek urges a shift from traditional real estate to specialised life science properties, highlighting this as a necessity for genuine development.
- At the recent Life Sciences and Research Clusters conference, Sadek emphasised the potential of these specialised clusters to drive a ‘second industrial revolution’.
- Sadek criticises the superficial approach of classifying standard office spaces as life science centres, demanding a more informed understanding of the sector’s requirements.
- Drawing from her extensive career in urban regeneration, Sadek calls for meaningful collaboration between real estate and life sciences industries.
Jackie Sadek, a respected veteran in the field of urban regeneration, has emphasised the transformative potential of life sciences infrastructure on the national economy. She argues that properly developed life science clusters can usher in substantial economic growth akin to a ‘second industrial revolution’. Sadek’s insights were shared at the Life Sciences and Research Clusters conference, which convened experts to discuss the burgeoning demand for lab spaces.
Sadek highlights the pressing need for developers to transition from conventional office developments to projects specifically tailored to the needs of the life sciences sector. This shift is crucial because simply rebranding standard office spaces as life science hubs falls short of the sector’s specific spatial and technological demands. She urges developers to actively listen and respond to the needs voiced by the life sciences community.
During her keynote address, Sadek drew attention to the emerging synergy between the real estate and life science industries as a profound opportunity for economic revitalisation. She describes this intersection as having the potential to ‘save our nation’, stressing that such collaboration can lead to substantial economic benefits.
Reflecting on her 40-year career, which includes advisory roles to the government on urban regeneration, Sadek calls for a strategic focus on life sciences infrastructure. Her experience with initiatives like the Grimsey Review underscores her belief in taking radical steps to rejuvenate sectors that drive economic and social progress.
Sadek’s critique of superficial efforts to label generic office spaces as life science facilities underscores a broader need for a paradigm shift in the understanding and execution of such projects. She urges stakeholders to engage deeply with the genuine requirements of the life sciences industries, ensuring that developed spaces are fit for purpose.
Jackie Sadek’s call for tailored life sciences infrastructure represents a significant opportunity for economic advancement.
