My ULI | Find Events | Buy Books | Join print this page email this page ULI Help Center
Image

Past Conferences

A ULI Global Real Estate Conference

Building a Sustainable Future:  Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges

13 February 2008
Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Optional Study Tour

14 February 2008
Dubai, UAE

Onsite Program (PDF)

List of Attendees (xls)

Presentations

Barry Didato (PPT)

Anish Kumar (PPT)

Chandran Nair (PPT)

John Walker (PPT)

Joe Brown (PPT)

Daniel Hajjar (PPT)

Jim Heid (PPT)

Joseph Lalli (PPT)

Katherine Perez (PPT)

Mahlon Apgar (PPT)

Marylin Taylor (PPT)

Sadek Owainati (PPT)

Wael Al Lawati (PPT)

Ziyad Zaidan (PPT)


Photos from the Conference

Image


Image

Conference Chair

Todd Mansfield
Chairman, ULI
and
Chief Executive Officer
Crosland, LLC
Charlotte,  North Carolina, USA


Image

Keynote Speakers

Peter Calthorpe
Principal
Calthorpe Associates
Berkeley, California, USA

Image Chandran Nair
Founder, Chief Executive
Global Institute for Tomorrow
Hong Kong, China

Overview

The incredible pace of development in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries presents a unique opportunity for officials and developers to create long-lasting sustainable growth, or to repeat mistakes made in other parts of the world. This conference will bring together international experts in sustainable development and key regional leaders and decision makers to explore how global best practices and lessons learned can be applied locally. Attendees will learn what sustainable development really is, how it differs from conventional development, and what makes it work. Valuable insights into the costs and benefits of developing more sustainably will be s hared as well as how project, business, and urban strategies are incorporating sustainability. Hear in-depth case studies of global best practices.


Speakers

Wael Al Lawati
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
The Wave
Muscat

Mahlon Apgar, IV
Visiting Fellow
Said Business School
University of Oxford
Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Kinder Baumgardner
Principal
SWA Group
Houston, Texas, USA

Larry Beasley
Founding Principal
Beasley and Associates, Planning Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Joe Brown
President and Chief Executive Officer
EDAW, Inc.
San Francisco, California, USA

Peter Calthorpe
Founder and President
Calthorpe Associates
Berkeley, California, USA

Joseph Cliggott
Director, Procurement & Sustainability
The John Buck Company
London, United Kingdom

Barry Didato
Director Strategic Investments
Makan Capital Group
Laguna Beach, California, USA

Edouard Fernandez
Director General
Hines
Marbella, Malaga, Spain

Blair Hagkull
Managing Director
Jones Lang LaSalle, MENA
Dubai,
UAE

Daniel Hajjar
Vice President,
Regional Manager Gulf
HOK
Dubai, UAE

Jim Heid
President
UrbanGreen
San Francisco, California

Jurgen Herre
Co-Head
Hines Middle East /
North Africa
Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, UAE

William P. Kistler
President, EMEIA
ULI-the Urban Land Institute
London, United Kingdom

Joseph Lalli
President and Managing Principal
EDSA
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Ronald Loughland
Centre of Environmental Research
Emirates Heritage
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Keith Morrow
Senior Vice President
WilsonMiller
Naples, Florida, USA

Katherine Perez
Vice President, Development
Forest City Development
Los Angeles, California, USA

Rula Sadik
General Manager of Design & Planning
Nakheel
Dubai  UAE

Dick Sargon
President
Makan Hill International
San Francisco, California, USA

Marilyn Taylor
Partner
Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill
New York, New York, USA

John Walker
Managing Director
John Walker Consultants, Ltd
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Ziyad A. Zaidan
IDEA Network
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Program

Wednesday 13 February 2008

0730 – 1700
Registration

0800 – 0900
Networking Breakfast

0900 - 0915
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome—Conference Chair: Todd Mansfield, ULI Chairman

0915 - 1000
Sustainability: The Reality and the Hype

What is sustainable development and why does it matter? This global overview of the trends shaping cities will explore the essence of sustainable development and why it is vital to the long-term success of the GCC region. Learn what is working and what isn’t and how visionary leaders are making a difference.

1000 – 1100
Building a Sustainable City: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges

The incredible scope and pace of development in the GCC region present a unique opportunity for developers to get it right and create long-lasting sustainable growth, or repeat mistakes made in other parts of the world and face permanent problems.  This panel of international experts will discuss the major opportunities and challenges for sustainable development and will offer lessons learned from other parts of the world. 

1100 – 1115
Break

1115 – 1215
Sustainable Development Workshops: Global Best Practices

Two interactive workshops will present examples of some of the most forward-thinking sustainable projects in the world in commercial and resort development. Seasoned practitioners will discuss what makes these projects sustainable; how they were designed, financed, developed, and managed; and the keys to their financial success. Sessions will be designed to let you participate in the discussions and ask questions about how to apply lessons learned to your own projects and markets. Choose the session that interests you most.

Office and Mixed-Use Development

Integrating residential, office and retail development is key to creating vibrant, livable environments that stand the test of time. These are also complex developments and developers need to understand the potential risks as well as the rewards of integrating multiple land uses into their projects. This session will explore the issue from every angle. Hear case study examples of successful mixed-use projects and share invaluable lessons learned.

Resort and Community Development

Resorts and master-planned communities can be incorporated into environmentally sensitive landscapes to the enhancement of both the community and the environment. Case study examples of cutting-edge projects will demonstrate the principles and practice of large-scale sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia: Communities and Cities for a Sustainable Future

Saudi Arabia launched a major urbanization initiative 30 years ago with two major goals: to develop master-planned new communities for its burgeoning growth, and to transform underdeveloped towns and villages into modern cities and rural centers. This session will look back to that strategy, summarize progress and problems to date, and present cutting-edge residential, commercial, mixed-use and resort projects now underway.

1215 – 1415
Keynote Luncheon

1415 – 1530
The Benefits of Sustainable Development

The benefits of successful sustainable development are more than just financial:  global recognition, market differentiation, corporate branding, ability to attract higher-quality employees, more durable developments, and more.  While there are costs for buildings sustainably, many developers and institutional investors are viewing costs and benefits with a broader lens.  This session will take an in-depth look at how developers, investors, and designers measure suceess, which sustainable initiatives provide the greatest benefits, and innovative ways of applying an integrated approach to sustainable planning and design.

1530 – 1600
Break

1600 – 1715
Moving Forward: Next Steps in Achieving Sustainability

Achieving a sustainable future in the GCC will require the leadership of the real estate development industry. What can you do to make your business more successful and your projects more profitable while building a sustainable future for your community? This distinguished panel of industry leaders will discuss strategies for integrating sustainable practices into the development business model and share their thoughts about the forces that will change the business-as-usual approach to real estate development.

1715
Concluding Remarks

Todd Mansfield

1730 – 1830
Networking Reception


Optional Study Tour

Thursday 14 February 2008

Optional Study Tour
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Overview

A decade of phenomenal growth has transformed Dubai from a sleepy Middle Eastern city to a prime international destination for business and tourism. From the engineering wonders of the man-made Palm Islands, to the immense scale of the Dubai Waterfront development, to the construction of the world’s tallest building, Dubai is a laboratory of development projects and ideas on a scale unlike anywhere else in the world today. The ULI Study Tour will introduce key players, showcase some of the world’s most impressive development projects, and provide insight into Dubai's ambitious master-plan.

What You Will See

  • Burj Dubai—Creating a new downtown for Dubai, this US$20 billion mixed-use project will feature residences, commercial space, hospitality projects, and 835,000 square meters of retail space.  See the world's tallest building and largest shopping mall in the making. 
  • Mall of the Emirates—Home to 450 retailers, this 223,000 square meter center offers shopping, leisure, and entertainment including the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East.
  • The Palm Islands—A trilogy of man-made, palm shaped islands located off the coast of Dubai.  The Palm Islands will increase Dubai's shoreline by 520 kilometers and will include over 100 luxury hotels, 10,000 exclusive beachside villas, 5,000 apartments, and numerous restaurants and retail outlets.
  • Jumeirah Islands—A unique residential development of 50 islands, covering 300 hectares.  Each island has a cluster of 16 spacious, luxury villas, each with their own private swimming pool and with a large variety of designs and specifications.

An additional fee applies.  See registration form for details.  Your must be registered for the conference in order to participate with the tour.