Topics
Capital Markets and Finance
According to Real Capital Analytics, acquisitions of U.S. commercial property by overseas investors rebounded sharply in 2021, with investment concentrated on the apartment and industrial sectors. Cross-border deal volume totaled $70.8 billion in 2021, almost double the 2020 level.
Builders and developers are being pushed to put up structures that are environmentally responsible. But can you do that and still make money? And how about the building owner who is seeking to invest in remodeling and upgrading? With the right kind of financing, the answer has recently come to be ”yes,” said speakers at the 2021 ULI Fall Meeting.
Whether or not investment in sustainable buildings is currently profitable, green fund managers argue that it is best to begin making changes now.
Design & Planning
A new ULI report explores the social, environmental, and economic benefits of creative placemaking, along with successful case studies in the United States.
As climate change worsens and the intensity of extreme weather–related events increases, meeting modern building codes may not be enough. Municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and industry groups are developing climate resilience design standards and tools, some of which are required or incentivized for publicly funded projects, and others of which may become expected or required for commercial real estate transactions.
Internationally acclaimed Chicago architect and Studio Gang founder, known for bringing a sustainable approach to tall buildings, to receive the prestigious ULI Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development.
Development and Construction
A ULI report says, in a post-pandemic retail world, location is indeed an important driver of success—arguably the key driver—but it is not the be-all and end-all.
At the 2023 ULI Carolinas Meeting in February, six developers working on complex projects in North and South Carolina talked about their work and plans for the future. In varied ways, they’re all taking advantage of current environments: they’re tuning into the natural world, connecting with existing popular amenities, or highlighting the region’s rich history.
Emerging Trends in Real Estate ® Global Outlook 2023sets out global real estate sector leaders’ expectations for the year ahead. Released at the MIPIM international exhibition, the report from ULI and PwC is a key indicator of sentiment in global real estate and investment and development trends around the globe.
Resilience and Sustainability
Since 2017, the ULI Health Leaders Network has served as a platform for cross-sector professionals looking to grow their leadership skills, make meaningful connections, and drive progress in health and social equity. Welcoming thirty new members to the Network, Cohort 7 joins a global community of practice of over 200 professionals. Spanning 24 cities and 6 different countries, the new cohort represents a diverse range of real estate, land use, design, policy, and public health professionals. To learn more about the individual Cohort 7 members, explore their profiles and biographies here.
Construction codes are pushing new buildings toward net zero, but roughly 80 percent of the expected 2050 building stock already exists today and needs to undertake major upgrades to meet emissions limits in line with the Paris Agreement. To address this issue, cities and states across the U.S. have started to limit emissions from existing buildings with regulations known as Building Performance Standards (BPS).
Holcim Foundation is equipping the next generation of building practitioners to become impactful voices of change.
Issues and Trends
Third edition evaluates top 30 global powerhouses report reveals world’s leading urban hubs rise in popularity post pandemic. Challenges include new economic conditions, rising costs, adaptation to hybrid work, innovation gaps, the climate imperative, and transition to social, mixed-use districts.
Guy Kawasaki—chief evangelist at Canva, former chief evangelist for Apple, and bestselling author—summed up insights gleaned from his years in tech and as host of the Remarkable People podcast, interviewing such luminaries as Margaret Atwood, Tony Fauci, Jane Goodall, and Steve Wozniak.
As congregations across North America grapple with shrinking membership and aging facilities, a new opportunity is emerging: transforming faith-owned land into affordable housing and community-serving spaces. At the 2025 ULI Fall Meeting in San Francisco, panelists in the session “Spiritual Brownfields: Declining Congregations and Opportunities for Housing on Faith-Owned Land” explored how churches and developers are partnering to bring mission-driven housing to underused sacred sites.
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