LAEP data hub stories
Bridging the gap between the value in data and extracting intelligence and meaning within it
Services
Strategy | Data Journalism | Data Analysis & Visualisation | UX & UI Design | ArcGIS | StoryMaps
Context
We partnered with the Greater London Authority to update their LAEP DataHub and add data driven stories, which brings together data from Local Area Energy Plans across London in one accessible place. It’s designed to help stakeholders go beyond static reports with tools to explore, understand and reuse LAEP data in a practical way.
Our solution
The LAEP Datahub Alpha was data-rich but underutilized by local boroughs. The ICS team aimed to unlock its potential for decision-making and funding.
Strategic discovery and research informed five narrative-led stories. These blend expert journalism with custom visualizations to address user needs. Beyond stories, we audited the website and recommended upgrades to improve the overall user journey and experience.
We designed a new visual style for these stories based on four core principles:
- A branded style for cohesive data storytelling.
- Optimised scroll-based storytelling to balance research with interactive moments.
- Consistent UI and layout for better platform cohesion.
- Accessibility and clarity for all levels of data fluency.
This co-creation overcame platform constraints to find fresh ways to tell data stories. Five interactive stories now sit within an updated website, ensuring critical insights are noticed and used.
We addressed three key barriers:
Fragmented research and no clear data narrative research
Unified data spread across multiple external tools into a coherent user experience and story layer
Positioning for thought leadership
Transitioned the Datahub from a repository to an engaging platform that drives stakeholder dialogue and action
Limited tooling
Delivered a polished, editable infrastructure within ArcGIS that meets high professional standards
FROM THE TEAM
FROM THE TEAM
“Knowing that valuable data with real social impact often goes unread is always a missed opportunity. The challenge with GLA was to make the data engaging and accessible while building on the existing infrastructure. Collaborating closely with the GLA team was a pleasure and made all the difference throughout the project!”
By transforming research into digital narratives, the GLA can effectively engage stakeholders to drive energy planning momentum.