Over the last two decades, the European real estate industry has confronted global challenges, including climate risks, economic crises, technological advancements, digitalization, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the conflict in Ukraine. Each phase has dramatically transformed the sector itself and even the very concept of real estate.
Today, political instability and economic uncertainties take center stage, as indicated by a joint survey conducted by PwC and the Urban Land Institute exploring real estate market trends for 2023. In its 20th edition, ULI examines the changes over the past two decades and provides forecasts for the near future.
When discussing the significant impacts on the real estate sector over the last 20 years, key factors include climate change, technological advancements, urbanization, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to 76% of respondents, low interest rates had a significant influence, while 64% highlighted the impact of the 2007–2008 global financial crisis. Other factors included urbanization, technological advancements, ESG growth, climate change, and e-commerce.
Today, political instability and economic uncertainties take center stage, as indicated by a joint survey conducted by PwC and the Urban Land Institute exploring real estate market trends for 2023. In its 20th edition, ULI examines the changes over the past two decades and provides forecasts for the near future.
- Concerns that Shaped the Industry for 20 Years
When discussing the significant impacts on the real estate sector over the last 20 years, key factors include climate change, technological advancements, urbanization, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to 76% of respondents, low interest rates had a significant influence, while 64% highlighted the impact of the 2007–2008 global financial crisis. Other factors included urbanization, technological advancements, ESG growth, climate change, and e-commerce.
Factors with the Greatest Impact on Real Estate in 20 Years
During this period, there have been substantial shifts in the concept of real estate as a whole. The idea has expanded beyond offices, retail, and industrial spaces, transforming into an incredibly diverse menu of investment assets.
The early 2000s marked the era of digital technologies, leading to a rapid surge in e-commerce. This shift altered the types of assets needed by retail sellers.
Recently, the Build-to-Rent market emerged, and there is a growing demand for flexible workspaces.
The Future of Real Estate in the Next 20 Years
Based on the survey, industry leaders from 20 countries worldwide concluded that the next two decades will be dedicated to the industry's control over erasing distinctions among numerous and diverse property types.
Technological advancements and changing consumer habits have already helped blur the boundaries between traditional sectors. However, for this to work, investors and developers must correctly understand the fundamentals of the business. The global financial crisis of 2008 demonstrated this.
The future of real estate will require a recalibration of practices developed over decades of cheap money to new financial realities and socio-political factors. For those who can recalibrate, broad opportunities will unfold.
During this period, there have been substantial shifts in the concept of real estate as a whole. The idea has expanded beyond offices, retail, and industrial spaces, transforming into an incredibly diverse menu of investment assets.
The early 2000s marked the era of digital technologies, leading to a rapid surge in e-commerce. This shift altered the types of assets needed by retail sellers.
Recently, the Build-to-Rent market emerged, and there is a growing demand for flexible workspaces.
The Future of Real Estate in the Next 20 Years
Based on the survey, industry leaders from 20 countries worldwide concluded that the next two decades will be dedicated to the industry's control over erasing distinctions among numerous and diverse property types.
Technological advancements and changing consumer habits have already helped blur the boundaries between traditional sectors. However, for this to work, investors and developers must correctly understand the fundamentals of the business. The global financial crisis of 2008 demonstrated this.
The future of real estate will require a recalibration of practices developed over decades of cheap money to new financial realities and socio-political factors. For those who can recalibrate, broad opportunities will unfold.
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a global organization founded in 1936 with more than 46,500 professionals in real estate and urban development. Its interdisciplinary membership represents all aspects of the industry, fostering knowledge exchange among developers, property owners, investors, architects, urban planners, government officials, realtors, appraisers, lawyers, engineers, financiers, and scientists.
ULI has been active in Europe since the early 1990s, boasting nearly 5,000 members and 15 national councils today. The institute's significant impact on land-use decisions is based on the exchange of knowledge among members regarding various factors influencing the built environment, including urbanization processes, demographic changes, new economic drivers, technological progress, and environmental issues.
The Urban Land Institute is a global organization founded in 1936 with more than 46,500 professionals in real estate and urban development. Its interdisciplinary membership represents all aspects of the industry, fostering knowledge exchange among developers, property owners, investors, architects, urban planners, government officials, realtors, appraisers, lawyers, engineers, financiers, and scientists.
ULI has been active in Europe since the early 1990s, boasting nearly 5,000 members and 15 national councils today. The institute's significant impact on land-use decisions is based on the exchange of knowledge among members regarding various factors influencing the built environment, including urbanization processes, demographic changes, new economic drivers, technological progress, and environmental issues.
