in

ULI APAC Summit 2026 Slated for Shanghai After 600-Strong Hong Kong Conference

ULI APAC Summit 2026 Slated for Shanghai After 600-Strong Hong Kong Conference

ULI APAC CEO Alan Beebe (L), global CEO Angela Cain and APAC chair Scott Dunn opened the 2025 summit

Following the organisation’s 2025 gathering in Hong Kong last month, the Asia Pacific chapter of the Urban Land Institute has named Shanghai as the site of its regional gathering for next year, according to information from the built environment non-profit group on Thursday. 

At the 2025 Urban Land Institute APAC Summit last month, more than 600 real estate leaders from Asia and beyond gathered in Hong Kong recently to discuss the future of property development in the region at the Urban Land Institute APAC Summit, exchanging views on themes including economic decoupling, capital market flows, AI and robotics, and sustainability.

A panel focused on geopolitics brought together APCO Worldwide Greater China chairman James McGregor, Tribridge Group’s founder and chairman Shane Tedjarati, Ambassador-At-Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Heng Chee Chan and Eurasia Group China director Dan Wang discussed the impacts of US-China decoupling and the rise of multi-polarity in the Asia Pacific region.

The panelists explored how the rise of ASEAN nations as China’s largest export market, trade diversification in Southeast Asia, and regional collaboration in clean energy, digital economies and technology are influencing investment and bolstering the regional economy. 

Symbiotic Spaces, Elevated Efficiency
In a keynote speech, David Hanson, chief executive and founder of Hanson Robotics, shared his vision of AI enabling cities and living spaces to become bio-inspired, emotionally responsive environments that enhance well-being and education, while enabling society to address challenges like loneliness and aging populations.

Jon Tanaka of Hines (L) and Phil Kim of Jerde (R) with the winners of the ULI Hines Student Competition

While optimistic about the future of AI, Hanson stressed the need for ethical development of the fast-growing technology, proposing an “Agape function” to prioritise life and harmony.

In a session examining the impact of AI on real estate, Raymond Kwok, senior director and head of AI and data intelligence for the property division of Nan Fung Development and Charles Whiteley, vice president and global digital leader at AECOM, pointed to AI’s potential to complement, rather than replace, human expertise in real estate.

Use cases have shown that AI can accelerate project delivery by 60 to 65 percent, with the technology significantly boosting the efficiency of tasks like feasibility studies, portfolio reviews, and asset management, the industry veterans said. The panelists also see AI having an advantage in automating repetitive and physical tasks, such as drone inspections, inventory checks, and predictive maintenance, leading to significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Capital Targets Opportunities in APAC, Europe
In a panel on global capital markets LaSalle Investment Management’s global head of research and strategy, Brian Klinksiek and Gaw Capital Partners’ managing principal Christina Gaw observed that growing uncertainty is encouraging some global investors to diversify their strategies beyond the US, with more funds gravitating toward Asia Pacific and Europe.

The panelists pointed to the appeal of global gateways such as London as safe havens and agreed that investors are now exploring a wider range of strategies beyond the popular recent themes of “beds and sheds”.

The investment experts also anticipate a continued mismatch between public and private market pricing to lead to more listed companies selling assets or going private.

Sustainability, Liveability
In a panel discussion on sustainability and decarbonisation, GLP vice president of corporate finance Melissa Stone, CDPQ vice president of real estate for Asia Pacific and Latin America George Agethen, Green Generation chief executive Brad Dockser and Link Asset Management group chief executive George Hongchoy unanimously rejected the notion that sustainability comes at a cost to returns.

The panelists agreed that sustainability is now a core part of investment strategy.

The senior executives noted a growing “flight to quality” trend where buildings with strong environmental credentials are producing higher rents, generating higher occupancy, and achieving increased tenant satisfaction, with these improvements translating into long-term value for asset owners.

In a session on building liveable cities, MTR Corporation’s legal and governance director Gillian Meller; Gensler regional co-managing principal Theresa Sheils; Jonathan Fascitelli, founder and chairman of sports and entertainment developer Seregh and Kai Tak Sports Park’s commercial director James Irvine highlighted the key roles that sports and entertainment precincts play in boosting the liveability of a city.

The industry leaders cited cases illustrating how investments in sports and entertainment infrastructure go beyond providing leisure opportunities to foster civic pride, cultural identity, and economic growth.

A model prominent in the US of modern stadiums evolving into mixed-use districts integrating housing, retail, hospitality, and transport infrastructure is gaining traction across Asian countries including Saudi Arabia and Singapore, some of the experts noted.

CEPT Students, Top Projects Honored
In the ULI Hines Student Competition, an annual feature of the industry event, a team from India’s CEPT University (formerly the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology) was crowned champion with a proposal for transforming Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Waterfront into a dynamic neighbourhood, optimising the benefits of high density and featuring shared infrastructure and community-led design.

A collaboration of the ULI and US-based developer Hines, the Student Competition had 33 teams from ten Asia Pacific markets take part during the contest’s third year in the region.

The ULI also handed out at the summit its Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence to 14 real estate projects in Australia, Bangladesh, mainland China, India, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.

The winners included Shui On Land’s Panlong Tiandi, the Hong Kong developer’s urban retreat complex in a historic water town near Shanghai’s Hongqiao area, Mitsui Fudosan’s Tokyo Midtown Yaesu mixed-use complex, and One Holland Village a mixed-use project in Singapore co-developed by Far East Organization, Sekisui House, and Sino Group.

“The winning projects exemplify innovation and impact, showcasing excellence in design while offering valuable lessons for the industry,” said ULI Asia Pacific chief executive Alan Beebe. “This year’s winners demonstrated exceptional practise in land use, particularly in terms of enriching community connections and enhancing livability.”

Report

What do you think?

Newbie

Written by Mr Viral

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

65525

A Magic: The Gathering Beginner’s Guide for Newcomers

A Magic: The Gathering Beginner’s Guide for Newcomers

Kenedix REIT Selling Greater Osaka Mall for $41M

Kenedix REIT Selling Greater Osaka Mall for $41M