The steps to a smart and sustainable Reading

15th October 2026

A key strand of the vision for Reading’s future economic growth, as outlined in the Reading Economic Development Framework 2025–35, is to support the creation of a smarter, greener and more resilient economy. Mark Pearson, REDA’s Head of Economic Development, looks at what is required for Reading to pursue this smart and sustainable future.

In the Framework, we outline two key interventions required to develop a smart and sustainable Reading:–  positioning Reading as a global centre for technology and science by making the most of Reading’s key locational advantages to drive more investment in Reading’s key industrial sectors and businesses; and enhancing Reading’s positioning as an Advanced Technology Economy through investment and growth in R&D and early stage development. Pursuing these twin-aspirations will help make Reading’s economy and city centre more resilient through innovation-led growth combined with low-carbon investment.

Reading’s strongest future growth opportunities lie in high-value, innovation-intensive and research industry sectors. We are in the enviable position of being home to many globally-recognised businesses in the key sectors driving innovation across the planet. These sectors have also been identified as national industrial priorities in recent Government strategies, ensuring Reading is aligned with future investment and the direction of the UK economy.

To bolster Reading’s existing strengths in digital technologies, climate, environmental and life sciences, creative industries, defence and professional services, the Framework highlights the need for ongoing investment in the promotion of Reading as an internationally important location for these sectors. Focusing on inward investment for these sectors, there is a call for the powerful marketing of Reading’s competitive advantage, including office space and investment, workforce talent, connectivity and quality of life. Reading needs to upscale its promotional work, deepen engagement with the property sector, collaborate with inward investment agencies and develop a sophisticated enquiry handling system.

There is an immediate opportunity to attract AI, biotech, cybersecurity and space-tech companies to Reading by positioning Reading as a leading hub for next-generation industries. We have the advantage of a strategic location between London and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and the M3/M4/M40 research corridors.

Closer working with these emerging growth industries will allow better support of their workforces and supplier requirements. Reading can further attract them here by developing plans to support tech and creative sectors; promote Reading as an AI city of excellence; develop stronger links with the Alan Turing Institute and other related bodies; create an incubation and flexible-workspace strategy, alongside high-growth business support for start-ups and scale-ups; and position Reading as a global leader in advanced climate-change industries, embedding low-carbon and sustainability objectives across regeneration and economic development.

We need to champion the many projects currently transforming Reading to attract a skilled digital workforce and associated businesses to relocate here. Exciting projects such as Reading town-centre’s regeneration at Station Hill, the redevelopment of Broad Street Mall and the Minster Quarter; exciting plans for the future of Reading Gaol; the growth in film, TV and digital content at Shadow Box Studios in Shinfield; the largest cluster of climate scientists in the world based at the University of Reading; and a proposed net-zero healthcare campus. These projects will help create a more attractive, productive and sustainable urban core.

Historically, Reading has been a key driver of the UK economy with the highest levels of return to the Exchequer based on profile and productivity levels. Reading now stands on the verge of a new revolution in local government as the prospective Mayoral Assembly across the Thames Valley takes shape. With Reading's investment growth and the attraction of these key growth technology and scientific sectors, Reading is poised to maintain its position as the powerhouse of this world-leading economy.

The Reading Economic Development Framework positions Reading as this leading national economic driver, backed by a strong partnership of industry, University and local government. Becoming a smart and sustainable city, in tandem with the other aims of the Framework, will ensure Reading’s future sustainable growth and prosperity.

In the short-run, the 2026–27 programme should be framed as a launchpad: with bespoke sector marketing propositions, the promotion of Reading as a city of AI excellence, making the business case for workspace and innovation funding and the development of a green economy skills plan. Celebrating these early wins will build partner confidence and demonstrate that Reading’s smart, sustainable growth agenda is already delivering.