Real-time virtual models of objects, ranging from a building to an entire city, are an emerging concept that has the potential to transform the built environment and the real estate industry in numerous ways, according to the technology’s proponents.

Increased supply continues to draw institutional investment to the space.

Life sciences and technology firms have been flocking to the San Diego metro area for the past decade. Often located on the outskirts of downtown, consideration and efforts are underway to make the market’s urban area a destination for work, live and play. A panel featuring many players in San Diego business development and academics joined moderator Lisa Cholmondeley, Gensler, to discuss strategy in “San Diego’s Life-Sciences Ecosystem: A 21st-Century Transformation.”

Developers that want to build momentum and lure users, especially for big projects, need to think beyond the walls of their buildings and instead create places that become nodes for innovation, panelists said at the 2022 ULI Spring Meeting in San Diego. Economic clusters—places anchored by companies or institutions that attract other businesses and residents—are key, said panelists.

With over half of California residents experiencing cost burdens for housing, the state is facing a shortage and is in search of solutions. A panel at the 2022 ULI Spring Meeting titled “Legalize Housing: Innovative Housing Policies to Produce More Housing at All Income Levels” looked at what is working in the San Diego market.

Investors who specialize in “deconverting” condo properties back into rentals are finding opportunities. But the deals take patience and fortitude.

Amazon has announced plans to provide more than $124.4 million to build 1,060 affordable homes near four public transit sites while working in partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Sound Transit to complete the developments. This is part of Amazon’s $300 million transit commitment from 2021 to create 3,000 new affordable homes in collaboration with the transit agencies in each region.

One year ago, Building Small: A Toolkit for Real Estate Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders, and Great Communitieswas published by ULI. So with 12 months behind us, what has been the response to Building Small? “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says author Jim Heid.

At the 2022 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference, a session looked at the high cost of the gap between U.S. population and job growth and the creation of housing where people want to live.

Fast Companyhas released the magazine’s annual Most Innovative Companies list for 2022 across 52 categories. ULI member firm Avison Young was named in the category of urban development.