As practitioners in the industry, we can all too easily reduce our thoughts about housing to the practical machinations of our work. Decisions are often made to serve regulatory agencies and capital providers, and to find the cheapest and fastest path to completion. We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that our job is to create places that serve real-life human needs.

Experts encourage the creation of community rebuilding authorities and
other measures to ensure the best-case scenario for recovery after January’s wildfires

Nestled in the forested hills west of Napa Valley, Enchanted Hills Camp—which is owned by LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired—has provided unparalleled recreational opportunities and skills training for blind and low-vision campers of all ages since 1950. After the devastating Napa wildfires of 2017 destroyed more than 25 structures and in excess of 900 trees on the property, the camp was not only rebuilt but also reimagined.

In the aftermath of California’s devastating January fires, which caused more than $164 billion in losses, experts are calling for urgent reforms in wildfire insurance policies. Advocates, including Darcy L. Coleman of Alagem Capital, emphasize the need for legislation that empowers the insurance commissioner to mandate incentives for fire-hardening and community mitigation efforts. They warn that, without proactive measures to address skyrocketing premiums and inadequate coverage, homeowners are sure to face heightened financial risks when disaster strikes.

A new ULI report, supported by C Change and Net Zero Imperative, outlines the key barriers to decarbonization, and presents seven guiding principles that address asset stranding risk.

The commercial real estate industry is voicing strong support for the Energy Star program as the Trump administration proposes substantial budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, a change that could jeopardize the voluntary program’s future or eliminate it entirely.

Neighborhood collaboration is key to swift rebuilding

In anticipation of the ULI Resilience Summit, the Institute’s annual climate adaptation event to be held May 15, 2025, in Denver, Colorado, Urban Land spoke with Karen Mahrous, a member of the ULI Programs Committee who helped shaped the event’s content, to learn more about what attendees can expect at this flagship event.

The United States had record-breaking renewable energy growth in 2024, with renewables—including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower—and battery storage making up 30 percent of the country’s large-scale power-generating capacity. Real estate is on board, positioned to confront some of the challenges facing clean energy in the U.S., especially as electricity demand is predicted to soar during the next five years.

Ten years ago, ULI released the Building Healthy Places Toolkit: Strategies for Enhancing Health in the Built Environment report. The Toolkit, developed by ULI in partnership with the Center for Active Design, offered 21 practical and tactical evidence-based strategies and recommendations that real estate leaders can employ to improve the health outcomes of residents and building users.