“We don’t need any more office space.” This is the takeaway quote from a session titled “Rethinking the Office Market” at ULI’s 2011 Fall Meeting in Los Angeles. Though this pronouncement may seem extreme, the five panelists in attendance gave their insights into what has changed in the office market over the course of the Great Recession—and what can be expected in coming years.

Historically high levels of national debt, combined with falling gross domestic product levels, have left some European economies exposed to sovereign debt concerns. For many countries, decreasing national debt through austerity measures—including job cuts—is the only option. Read more to learn which markets are expected to be most affected by the widespread reduction in public sector spending.

When it comes to the best and worst markets for office and retail development in Europe, large, stable markets like Germany and Poland are places where new assets can be developed; in countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, however, where there are concerns about sovereign debt, it is much more difficult. Read more to learn what types of development will succeed and what investors now expect.

Modern design and construction techniques have relaxed many of the constraints that form the basis for 21st-century office building design. However, certain universal guidelines exist that organize the building infrastructure and reinforce the perception of rational planning and flexibility. Learn the seven pillars of office building design, and which of the seven is being challenged for the first time.

Teams from 245 buildings around the country are going head to head in this year’s U.S. EPA Energy Star National Building Competition. Although the winner will be chosen based on which structure realizes the largest percentage reduction in energy use, the competition is also intended to highlight the importance of sustainability and to share best practices case studies.

A flexible service office provides business space on a flexible, short- to medium-term basis to occupiers, especially larger corporations and companies that want to test a new market/location, small and medium enterprises, and startups. Read about the market links between these flexible spaces and traditional offices.

A $295 million shared education and research facility for four universities in downtown Portland, Oregon, is intended to address a long list of objectives in one facility. Read about the many opportunities for both physical and financial savings created by co-locating programs from the universities, and the method devised to allocate space annually among the facility’s constituent institutions.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—a city that was once the butt of jokes—now offers numerous opportunities for developers. Spurred by growth in the medical, education, financial services, and computer software industries, downtown office rents are expected to rise 7.5 percent this year—more than triple the national average. Read what advice ULI insiders have for those who want to enter this market.

As scientists from a variety of disciplines share knowledge in pursuit of new treatments, municipal governments pool resources with the private sector to create biotechnology clusters, universities team with nonprofits, and nonprofits work with for-profit firms to speed the “bench to bedside” process. Read about ten projects that take an innovative approach to fostering interaction and creativity.

Five members of ULI’s Office Development Council speak about the trends affecting their market, including opportunities for development and investment, the evolution of tenant needs, and the challenges of adaptive use. Learn whether they think there is value in certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.