Building Tomorrow: Schack’s 8th Annual Sustainability Conference
By Malena Inchauspe-Branconnier, Manuela Bomeny and Srini Kumar
Keynote presentation
Starting off this engaging event following a lovely dance presentation by NYU Steinhart Students, Professor Suhail Tayeb emphasized that, even if we don’t realize it, we all care about sustainability. We all want to breathe in clean air and drink clean water. The issue with the industry today is we focus on compliance, not progress, and laws alone aren’t enough to drive change.
While climate change, carbon emissions and resiliency are very important topics, sustainability is all about people, and how the built environment impacts people and their quality of life. In real estate, it is about building a space people want to be in, and can coexist with nature. Unlocking value and avoiding harm. This event was not designed to spark a conversation about policy or energy consumption, but Climate Action, Social Responsibility and Ethical Leadership.
Manuela Bomeny, Srini Kumar & Malena Inchauspe
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Climate Action - Renewable Energy Innovations and Breakthroughs
New York City’s transition to a low-carbon future was the focus of this dynamic panel discussion, where leading voices in sustainability and energy explored the challenges and innovations shaping the built environment. Moderated by Carolyn Kissane, Associate Dean at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, the discussion brought together Michael Daschle from Brookfield Properties, Benjamin Rodney from Hines, Michael Reed from the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and Don Shabazgour from National Grid to examine the increasing demand for electricity, decarbonization strategies, and the role of emerging technologies.
With global electricity demand projected to rise by 3.4% annually through 2026, and 16% in the United States, panelists highlighted the urgent need for innovation. Michael Daschle emphasized the importance of clean energy procurement in real estate, noting the company’s focus on hydro and nuclear power as reliable, carbon-free sources. Similarly, Benjamin Rodney stressed the role of energy efficiency at the building level. “If we can reduce demand in the first place, we alleviate pressure on the grid and infrastructure,” he explained. His strategies include thermal energy networks and waste heat reutilization to improve energy performance in buildings.
Michael Reed acknowledged the difficulties of scaling clean energy solutions, particularly in older buildings. He pointed out that while new technologies—such as heat pumps and thermal networks—show promise, affordability remains a key concern. Don Shabazgour noted that while hybrid heating systems (using both electricity and gas) could provide a more cost-effective transition, infrastructure constraints in New York make implementation challenging.
Panelists agreed that grid modernization is essential to meeting demand, particularly in light of increased electrification and the expansion of data centers. They also acknowledged that New York City is unlikely to meet its 2030 climate targets but expressed optimism about long-term progress. “The 2050 goals are achievable, but they may take until 2070 or 2080,” Shabazgour predicted.
Looking ahead, panelists underscored the need for continued investment in grid infrastructure, permitting reform to accelerate clean energy projects, and public-private collaboration to drive affordability. They concluded with a call to action for students and professionals alike: to engage with organizations like NYSERDA and National Grid, and to support policies that enable a more sustainable built environment.
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Real Estate Innovations: AI, Proptech, Sustainability Disruptors
This panel was moderated by Zair Cheema (Clinical Assistant Professor at the Schack Institute of Real Estate), with panelists Edward A. Allen (Chief Revenue Officer, Measurabl), Marilynn Joyner (Founder and CEO, Her Workplace and of Canvas), Thomas Richards (Chief Strategy Officer, Titanium Intelligent Solutions) and Sheida Shahi (CEO, Adaptis).
The participants of this panel were representing various areas of how technology and new innovations are impacting real estate. This specifically included artificial intelligence (AI), Prop-tech and disruptors to sustainability. The discussion of the panel was about what technologies and innovations have a chance to change the course of how we think about real estate, and improve sustainability standards in buildings.
The discussion started with a simple question: What is the state of AI powered tools in the market?
Marilynn began the discussion by mentioning that her company helps to build startups with their office leasing initiatives nationally. In the brokerage industry itself, AI still has a long way to go before brokers and leasing can use AI to make impactful decisions. AI generally has been recognized as a tool that can be used to write contracts, track market data and to pull comparables. However, technology truly won’t replace the broker, as decisions still should be made by C-suite executives. Sheida mentioned afterwards that while AI has been an excellent tool for writing reports and generating LOMs faster, one issue has been scale. Specifically, there are issues with scaling data collection up by property type, property class, and region. For example, there are many class B and C properties that may not have the budgets to collect data on emissions and sustainability.
In addition, Allen mentioned that the “quality of the data is paramount. There is a saying that “you are what you eat”. The same concept applies to AI! If we have an intelligent model with poor data being fed into it, we will be getting meaningless analyses from our model. We’ve gone from collecting data from a building’s meter, now to trying to scale the data collection up to 3 million buildings, across nine thousand energy providers in the United States. This results in a lot of noise in scaling the data collected. We can try to use large language models to try to look at occupancy rates, weather patterns which can help assess if there are any outliers or special effects with data.”
The conversation then shifted to what it would look like to successfully bring about more change rapidly in the future, and to help with the gap between people understanding and using the data. Thomas mentioned that he looks to build data, whether it be temperature, HVAC status, and more. He and his competitors look to create a sophisticated dashboard that provides data by showing critical insights into a building’s performance. Dashboards like this can be useful to help show real dollar savings, as opposed to simply showing projected savings. It can be driven by how AI collects and synthesizes data.
Allen also mentioned that given the current state of the political and regulatory environment, it is difficult to talk about issues that don’t make the bottom line. Any way to make a project successfully implemented with people is to ensure that it is financially focused.
The panel concluded with how the private sector has been receptive to tools like predictive analysis, user experience and more privacy protections for entities. Sheida mentioned that revenues in this space are largely based on private customers, family owners and business owners. Many data sets about the building are typically not shared with contractors and private groups, and many building owners might have their own cost consultants to keep the data proprietary. Marilynn mentioned that on the end-user side, there is an effect for the market to try to correct itself since COVID-19. There is about an 18% vacancy on the leasing side for office (lowest since 2020), suggesting that this is very much a tenant’s market. NYC specifically has been seeing many large-scale tenants, including hedge funds and financial institutions focused on resorting to large, trophy assets.
Lastly, while the industry has been focused on insights, Thomas mentioned that roughly 80% of commercial properties in the United States lack any meaningful policy or functions toward sustainability, and that part of the challenges involved require a meaningful change in attitudes towards sustainability initiatives. Sheida mentioned that in Canada, upgrading sustainability technology standards is very incentive-based. As a result of all of this, per Thomas, there is a great opportunity to revolutionize the industry!
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Privacy and Data Security: Safeguarding Communities and Digital Infrastructure
This panel was moderated by Manny Patole (Industry Assistant Professor, NYU Tandon Center for Urban Science + Progress), with panelists Christopher Gulotta (Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate), Shafia Zubair (Director of Supply Chain Cyber Security, Johnson Controls), and Nicholas Burgess (Senior Project Engineer, JB&B Deep Carbon Reduction Group).
The discussion started with everyone sharing their thoughts and views on what the biggest challenges they see with data security, and privacy in real estate. Christopher started by mentioning that there is a severe lack of awareness for cybersecurity, and a reluctance to hire professionals dedicated to dealing and mitigating risk to cyber attacks. There is also a general lack of awareness that speed and convenience are the enemies of security. For example, if a company receives an spam email from the IRS to click on a link, you and your company may suffer from an incident. From 2013 through 2022, there has been $50 billion in losses reported due to business email compromise scams. From 2020 through 2022, there has been a 27% increase in attacks on real estate professionals, including escrow accounts and real estate acquisitions. Nicholas followed up by mentioning that many Class A property managers, banks and other large-scale firms will likely have inhouse teams dedicated to managing cybersecurity risks. The area of concern is for middle and lower qualities of real estate having a lack of dedicated cybersecurity professionals. It will be important to have high industry standards across newer and older buildings, and to increase the accessibility of having high quality, inhouse cybersecurity professionals.
The conversation then progressed to adjusting to the velocity of change occurring with technology, and helping real estate adjust to the change in real time. Shapa mentioned that supply chains for smart cities and buildings need more software support and infrastructure is heavily stressed and in great demand. Layering cybersecurity and a demand for high quality software is a very complex issue that needs to be addressed. When property owners install software systems, do they have the expertise to install it and properly manage it? That remains to be addressed. We all use technology, one way or another, and it is absolutely critical to have the property IT professionals to efficiently and effectively manage our buildings. Nicholas followed this thought by mentioning that he is working to devise an emergency management system. While in the development process, he noticed that his vendor had a third-party vendor for power meters that had an IP port connection that was unknown by Nicholas and his team. It required a very deep understanding that was important to be deciphered as many banks and real estate companies used to connect with the internet and to do business with many clients. Some individuals may simply not even change their initial passwords for their emergency management systems.
The conversation finally pivoted to helping students, and Shapa mentioned that since technology is rapidly evolving now, it is paramount to focus on how a student can bring value. It will take a lot of time to replace technology in an old building, and it is extremely important to maintain a continuing level of understanding of what technologies are out there and how they can help real estate professionals.
Nicolas concluded by mentioning that now, the biggest issue now is scale. At JB&B, There is a big need for synergy with existing design firms, vendors and clients with their data privacy, smart buildings, and decarbonization. Asia, Australia and other countries once part of the Kingdom have many prop-tech start-ups set up to help make buildings run smoother and efficiently.He mentioned that in Asia, and in Australia, there are a lot of prop-tech companies that are coming up and helping buildings be smart. Building managers in those geographies are also less reluctant to have smart buildings and more protocols in cybersecurity. Overall, it will be critical to change the sentiments so that people are more aware of the dangers of being ill-prepared for cybersecurity risks and to help all property types have smarter features to be more energy efficient. If there is a playbook, and a set of guidelines that everyone knows how to deal with and mitigate the risk of a cyber attack, it will help the industry fundamentally prepare itself for cyber risks.
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Climate Action - Accelerating Flood Response: A High Speed Modeling Approach Coupling with Social Economic Impacts
This panel, moderated by Dr. Omar Wani, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Urban Engineering at NYU, discussed the critical intersection of climate resilience, urban planning, and sustainable infrastructure. The discussion, featuring Andre Kikoski of Kikoski Architecture, Bonnie Campbell of Two Trees Management, Dr. Yuki Miura from NYU Tandon, and Dylan Meagher from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), explored innovative design strategies, water management solutions, and policy-driven sustainability initiatives.
Dr. Miura opened the discussion by highlighting the increasing threats of flooding and hurricanes in New York City. Drawing from her work with the NYC Panel on Climate Change, she demonstrated how scenario modeling can predict future risks. “With climate change, we’re not expecting conditions to improve. We anticipate worsening impacts, with more frequent and intense storms.” she warned. She highlighted the importance of leveraging data and AI to create predictive models that can bridge knowledge gaps and improve resilience planning.
Bonnie Campbell of Two Trees Management shared how her firm adapted its development strategy after witnessing the destruction Hurricane Sandy brought in 2012. The company’s redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Refinery site in Brooklyn incorporated resilience measures, including elevating the entire marine platform, relocating critical infrastructure to above flood-prone areas, and integrating on-site wastewater treatment to reduce reliance on the city’s overburdened sewer system. She also previewed Two Trees’ upcoming River Ring project, which embraces nature-based solutions such as restoring riparian edges.
Dylan Meagher, representing NYC Department of Environmental Protection, described the city's efforts to implement green infrastructure and manage stormwater more effectively. He highlighted the Green Infrastructure Program, which has grown from a conceptual plan 15 years ago to more than 13,000 assets across the city, including rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable surfaces. He also emphasized the importance of policy-driven incentives, such as wastewater discounts for buildings that implement water reuse systems. “These policies ensure that sustainability initiatives are not just one-off projects but scalable, long-term solutions that can be replicated across the city,” he said.
Architect Andre Kikoski provided an international perspective, showcasing his work on NEOM’s Oxagon project in Saudi Arabia. The project, designed as a high-tech agricultural hub, integrates AI-driven greenhouse management, advanced water conservation techniques, and renewable energy sources. “In extreme environments, innovation is a necessity,” Kikoski said. “This project reduces water use by 93% compared to traditional agriculture and produces 4,000 tons of fresh produce annually. These strategies have global implications, particularly for regions facing water scarcity.” He noted that while technology plays a crucial role in sustainability, policy and behavioral shifts are equally important.
Campbell highlighted the role of community engagement in shaping sustainable development projects. She stated, “Our projects don’t move forward without public input. Adaptive management—learning from pilot projects and refining policies—is key to long-term success.”
The panel concluded with a discussion on the future of urban sustainability, with panelists agreeing that a combination of smart design, policy reform, and community-driven initiatives will be essential to meeting long-term climate goals.
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Ethical Leadership - The Sustainability Compass: Navigating Accountability and Meaningful Impact
Moderated by Jacques Minoyan, NYU Alumni and Associate director of Multifamily Asset Management at Invesco, the panel featured NYU Schack Undergraduate Dean Brian Schwagerl, Jessica Long (NAE REIT), Maximilian Kufer (Invesco), and Christine Robinson (Deloitte). Each panelist shared how they transitioned into sustainability, highlighting the evolution of the field from a niche focus to a central business strategy.
Brian Schwagerl pioneered sustainable office design while leading real estate for Hearst and NBC Universal, later transitioning to academia to educate future leaders in sustainable real estate. On the other hand, Jessica Long fell into sustainability while managing real estate funds, helping to formalize ESG strategies and investor communications.
Maximilian Kufer started as a financial analyst and property manager before leading ESG initiatives at Invesco, where he oversees sustainability efforts for the company’s portfolio. Christine Robinson, a CPA, shifted from auditing to Deloitte’s sustainability practice, specializing in ESG reporting and regulatory compliance.
With increasing regulatory requirements, panelists discussed how companies navigate compliance while maintaining profitability. Jessica Long explained how REITs are adapting to performance standards, balancing compliance with operational efficiency, while Maximilian Kufer stressed the role of sustainability officers in translating complex regulations into actionable business strategies.
Sustainability reporting has evolved from voluntary transparency to regulatory necessity. Panelists acknowledged the burden of reporting but recognized its importance in risk assessment, investor decision-making, and benchmarking against industry standards. Brian Schwagerl highlighted the rise of sustainability committees at the board level, reflecting its growing strategic importance.
Panelists explored the practical challenges of implementing sustainability, from building performance standards to decarbonization costs. Jessica Long discussed how different cities enforce carbon regulations, making compliance complex for national real estate portfolios. Maximilian Kufer emphasized the need for smart technology and automation in buildings to drive efficiency.
On carbon credits, panelists debated their role in decarbonization. Maximilian Kufer argued that companies must prioritize real reductions before relying on offsets, while Jessica Long clarified the difference between carbon credits and renewable energy credits (RECs), stressing that RECs help send market signals for clean energy investment.
When asked about the most exciting sustainability innovations, panelists highlighted green-certified buildings driving tenant demand and high rents, automation and AI improving building efficiency, and personal investments in energy-efficient homes, proving that sustainability applies at all scales.
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Ethical Leaders - Building Trust in High Stakes Markets
Discussing the role of transparency, regulation, and market trends in shaping the future of commercial real estate, this panel was moderated by Duane Desiderio (Real Estate Roundtable), and featured Ben Myers (BXP), Jennifer Leitsch (EY), Hrisa Gatzoulis (Rudin), and NYU’s Professor Barry Hersh.
Panelists highlighted the growing complexity of state and local regulations affecting building owners and developers. Ben Myers emphasized the rapid regulatory changes in major U.S. cities, such as Boston’s net-zero zoning laws and Local Law 97 in New York City, which impose strict emissions limits on existing buildings. Hrisa Gatzoulis discussed the challenge of retrofitting older properties for electrification, balancing tenant needs, and navigating evolving compliance standards.
At the federal level, regulatory uncertainty remains a key concern. Jennifer Leitsch explained how the SEC’s delayed climate disclosure rule has been replaced by a series of state-level mandates. As she noted, "While the SEC rule is on hold, businesses must now prepare for state-driven regulations that demand similar levels of transparency."
A key theme was grid capacity challenges in decarbonization. Panelists warned that while electrification is a major focus, many city grids are unprepared for the increased demand. Myers highlighted the infrastructure gap, explaining how Boston alone will need five new substations by 2030 to support electrification efforts, while Professor Barry Hersh emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in solving grid constraints, citing examples of developers working with utilities to integrate substations into urban developments.
Beyond regulations, investor-driven ESG reporting frameworks have become industry standards. Ben Myers acknowledged their role in investor communications but noted diminishing returns, questioning whether companies should continue dedicating resources to annual ESG assessments. Panelists also touched on corporate reputation and public perception in sustainability. Professor Hersh noted that global brands must align with international sustainability standards to maintain credibility, even in less-regulated markets.
As Duane Desiderio closed the discussion, he emphasized the importance of proactive engagement with regulators and investors, ensuring that sustainability efforts are not just compliance exercises but strategic opportunities for long-term growth.
FROM WASTE TO WORTH: Transforming Materials for a Sustainable Future in Real Estate
Moderated by Lauren Moss, Senior VP-Chief Sustainability Officer at Vornado Realty Trust. Panelists include Amanda Kaminksky, Director of Sustainability at Consilgi Construction. Sydney Mainster, VP of Sustainability and Design Management at Durst Organization. Christina Grace Co-founder and CEO of Foodprint Group and Varun Kohli, Principal and Director of Sustainability at Corgan.
The discussion began by discussing reducing embodied carbon, establishing circularity in material use, and attaining zero waste in the built environment focusing on sustainable construction techniques. The emissions from a product's whole lifecycle—from resource extraction and production to installation, usage, and disposal—are taken into consideration under the definition of embodied carbon. "You can mine natural resources to make that thing, or you can do urban mining," Sydeny Mainster said, emphasizing the necessity of reusing components from already-existing buildings as opposed to depending solely on virgin resources. By giving salvaged resources priority, cutting waste, and building for modular efficiency, construction and resource management can significantly lower embodied carbon.
They gave specific examples of circularity, such as a New York City initiative by Sydney Mainster and the Durst Organization to recycle plate glass. Even though glass is widely used in urban construction, it has not been common practice to reuse it. Tons of glass from demolition waste were successfully redirected into fiberglass insulation as part of a trial project, which also reduced manufacturing-related carbon emissions. Mainster remarked, "The hardest thing we have to do is get the guys with the sledgehammers... to just say, 'I'm gonna put it in a separate box,'" demonstrating how even minor behavioral changes may lead to fundamental change.
The emphasis was on waste diversion and circular economy principles, particularly in the management of construction materials. Mainster "If you have achieved zero waste, your building is moving 90% or more of the materials into the circular economy," highlighting the need to avoid predetermining garbage for landfills. To optimize reuse and recycling prospects, key tactics include material routing, salvage assessments, and early design-stage planning. The conversation also emphasized that real zero waste entails more than just recycling; it also entails ecologically conscious shopping, ethical consumption, and careful disposal planning to keep materials in use.
Mass Timber: Sustainable Solution or Oversimplified Narrative? Mass timber has been heralded as a game-changing material in the movement toward net-zero structures. But there are still concerns regarding its true carbon footprint. Varun said, "If you've been following the construction industry at all, you may have heard about this big question about how sustainable mass timber really is." Although mass timber has several advantages, such as better indoor environmental quality and a lower embodied carbon than steel or concrete, the notion that it is naturally carbon-neutral is coming under scrutiny. Concerns regarding "land squeeze" and how improperly managed mass wood contributes to deforestation and carbon emissions were brought to light in a 2023 report by the World Resources Institute (WRI). Biogenic carbon, or the carbon stored in trees over their lifetime, is one of the most important yet often ignored variables in these computations. “We as an industry have not fully taken that into account,” he emphasized. When trees are harvested, a significant portion of biomass, known as slash (roots, branches, bark), is left behind. This material often decomposes or is burned, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
In response to this Corgan has introduced a free tool that can assess how much biogenic carbon your business, manufacturing, or you utilize to add to your LC analysis (Lifecycle Carbon Analysis.) Available on Corgan.com. Through digital innovation, the construction industry is going through a disruptive shift. To assist designers and builders access real-time data on reused and low-carbon materials, this can be used to improve material tracking. By enabling professionals to make data-driven decisions, this technology helps the sector further adopt the concepts of the circular economy.
Systems thinking or comprehending the interactions between various sectors (waste management, construction, agriculture, and energy production), is essential to achieving true sustainability in the building industry. Food waste tracking and diversion technologies need to be included into sustainable design frameworks. Developers, architects, and urban planners can produce more effective, low-impact built environments by taking food waste into account as a component of the larger material flow. Rethinking trash as a resource, whether that means turning food waste into bioenergy, reusing timber offcuts, or repurposing demolished construction materials, is more difficult than simply cutting waste.
The future of sustainable construction is about managing resources before, during, and after a building's lifecycle, not just about what we create. Industry professionals must take into consideration that although it is easy to state net-zero as a goal, this process must begin at the foundation of the project. Varun concluded with “We are still figuring out so much of this,” “But the more we learn, the better decisions we can make.”
The Future of URBAN MOBILITY
Moderated by Lior Melnick, ENV SP, Transportation Analyst at VHB Engineering. Panelists include our own Schack Professor, Matthew Kwatinetz, along with being a clinical assistant professor and faculty director at Schack he runs NYU Urban Lab and is the program coordinator at MS Real Estate Development. David Reed who is a consultant & Advisor at ActiveScore and ModeScore. Kaan Ozbay Ph.D., Director C2SMARTER Tier-1 University Transportation Center and is a Professor at NTY Tandon School of Engineering. Takahiro Yabe Ph.D., Assistant Professor at New York University Tandon School of Engineering.
The discussion began with Professor K speaking on the unique history of NYC in terms of our natural harbors and access to waterways. Emphasizing the lack of confidence of NYC being a hub for finance, manufacturing, even technology which as we all know it is now globally considered. The focus shifted to the opportunity that is our non-conjected waterways. Referencing his work with the NYC ferry system. Looking forward at the opportunity through redevelopment of our waterways and the impact it can have on sustainability, issues with gridlock, and equity.
The Blue Highway was discussed by Professor K which encompassed eclectic, emission free boats within a year. Pushing for a shift in how and where people are moving within NYC. Referring to an initiative by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez of the NYC DOT and Andrew Kimball, the president and CEO of the NYCEDC, these agencies are searching for creative ways to boost the use of waterways for freight transportation while decreasing dependency on highways. Using its vast network of local waterways, the City hopes to promote environmentally responsible transportation of commodities as part of the Blue Highways initiative. Additionally, this project looks into ways to support companies who operate freight on the waterfront and spur new economic development.
Sustainable transportation, congestion pricing, and the effects of connected and autonomous vehicles were the main topics of the urban mobility discussion. In order to lower carbon emissions and raise building ratings, David underlined the significance of sustainable active mobility. Dr. Ozbe cited a $25 million, five-year initiative in New York City to demonstrate how autonomous vehicles may increase efficiency and safety. During their discussion of the New York City congestion pricing plan, the panel raised issues regarding equality and the scheme's potential to enhance air quality and reduce traffic. They also talked on how the public and commercial sectors might support healthy transportation infrastructure and the need for improved parking reform. Experts discussed ways to make cities healthier, more accessible, and less congested while lowering carbon emissions.
In order to raise building ratings, lower carbon footprints, and draw in tenants, David emphasized the significance of incorporating sustainable active transportation, including walking and bicycling, into urban developments. According to him, many developers treat mobility infrastructure as a compliance obligation, merely ticking off boxes to satisfy city Transportation Demand Management (TDM) laws, but some forward-thinking developers view it as a competitive advantage.
A main discussion at the end of the panel was focused on the new congestion pricing in NYC. In cities all across the world, congestion pricing has become a hotly contested policy tool with the goals of lowering emissions, reducing traffic, and raising money for public transportation. After years of delays, the idea has rekindled debates in New York City about its possible advantages, equality issues, and unforeseen repercussions. Congestion pricing in New York City has the potential to lower traffic, enhance air quality, and provide vital finance for transit—but only if it is applied thoughtfully and equitably. Success hinges on public support, adaptability, and reinvestment in sustainable mobility solutions, as demonstrated in Singapore, Stockholm, and London. However, a key point was brought up as a comparison was EzPass. The lack of interaction with price factors tends to lead to a behavioral trend that is unchanged. Raising interesting further questions into technological disconnect.
The evolving importance of sustainability within the Real Estate industry has proven to be multidimensional. Globally, we lack the infrastructure and grid capacity required to transition to cleaner energy sources, and are becoming increasingly limited due to policy and regulation. The panels emphasized the importance of the concept of circularity and interdisciplinary collaboration to push for more sustainable solutions and practices in sustainable real estate development.
As technology rapidly evolves, it is important to constantly educate ourselves on practices set up to help our properties run more efficiently and effectively. This can mean focusing on measures to keep our data secure, and to help our buildings run more efficiently and effectively. Failing to do so, leaves us as professionals at a disadvantage, as higher energy costs, emitting a heavier carbon footprint, and being prone to malicious criminal activity can setback how our properties can perform, generate positive returns and serve our clients’ needs and desires. Issues like climate change and cybersecurity are problems that will continue to devastate industries in our society for years to come, and it is our responsibility and duty to constantly be aware of risks to our properties and how we can mitigate and prevent such risks from taking place.