The placement of data centres, and defining their relationship with the community around them, has the potential to improve health outcomes, create jobs, support research centres and draw in high value data industries. This means that data centre developers have a responsibility to work with other stakeholders to create a positive impact on society, beyond data buildings and campuses. In this report, we have spoken to several key players from the industry and using their insights, we’ve looked at ways that data centres can be more socially integrated into their local communities. Understanding a community’s needs is a crucial part of the process of any large-scale development, and with data centre development it is no different. At Hoare Lea, our Mission Critical team assists data centre clients in navigating the evolving requirements of this sector. We strive for the highest quality in latest technology thinking, security, and resilience, with energy-efficiency and carbon-management solutions, designed with societal insight. Our work is one part of the puzzle that makes data centres tick.