Datacentre developers need to focus more on the benefits local communities can gain from having a server farm nearby, according to a report from engineering firm Hoare Lea. This report, titled “DC Society: Putting Community into Datacentre Thinking,” argues that developments often occur without input or involvement from the communities around them.
The report highlights a significant gap: there isn’t a clear path for what a socially aware datacentre looks like. That’s a missed opportunity because these facilities can offer much more than just jobs during and after construction. They can enhance health outcomes, create jobs, energize research centers, and attract high-value industries to the area.
Derek Main, director of datacentre and mission critical at Hoare Lea, emphasizes that developers have a responsibility to collaborate with local stakeholders. He points out that developers are likely to choose locations where communities are open to their projects, but winning that support means clearly communicating the benefits these developments can offer.
The report warns that datacentres might relocate to regions where they face less opposition. The absence of direct benefits for local communities can make it challenging to move forward with such projects. To illustrate this point, the report suggests ways local communities could benefit from closer ties with developers. For instance, using waste heat from datacentres for nearby housing, community spaces, or urban farms could be a win-win.
Additionally, datacentres could provide discounted data access to local research institutions or act as a magnet for tech-focused businesses to move into the area. The authors believe that if datacentre projects are fully realized, they can become valuable assets for social and economic progress.
This report draws insights from various stakeholders in the datacentre industry and sociology experts to explore how to integrate datacentres more effectively into local communities. Main argues that these facilities don’t have to compete with residents for resources; they can instead create new opportunities for everyone involved.
Paul Hanna, head of societal impacts at Hoare Lea, stresses that understanding community needs is crucial during the planning stages of such projects. He believes that large-scale infrastructure should consider community insights alongside technology, security, and energy efficiency. When developers and their neighbors agree on shared goals, everyone can benefit.
