The transformation and decarbonisation of buildings to create sustainable assets will be a key focus of this year’s Expo conference programme, along with efforts to build more affordable housing across Europe.
To accommodate debate on these and other issues in what the organisers describe as ‘challenging times for market participants’, Expo Real will have nine stages and numerous conference rooms this year.
A session entitled ‘Transformation: Walk the Talk!’ will kick off the conference programme, looking at how transformation is being implemented in practice.
Numerous panels in the DECARB Arena in Hall A3 will explore how existing buildings, along with cities and districts, can become climate-neutral and what measures are needed to speed up the process.
Other highlights in the Expo Real Forum (Hall A2) include resilient portfolios, housing in Europe, as well as real estate investments compared to other asset classes, financing issues, and the state of Germany as an investment location.
Speakers this year include Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, CEO of Siemens Germany and Siemens Smart Infrastructure Germany; Uwe Bartmann; Tina Reuter, head of Germany at Cushman & Wakefield, and IVD honorary president Jürgen Michael Schick.
The need for more housing in Germany will come under the spotlight on the first day of the fair, with Klara Geywitz, federal minister for housing, urban development and building, taking part in two panels on residential construction.
In the first, she will address the question, ‘One year before the general election – does residential construction still have a chance?’, while in the second, she will speak with representatives of various associations on the panel, 'Final spurt of the coalition – what else can real estate companies expect?'
The changing investor landscape and capital markets outlook will be examined in a presentation by Gertrud Traud, chief economist at Helaba. The theme of the panel discussion is ‘Elections, world market, growth’. Another highlight is a lecture by political scientist and risk expert Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, on 'Identifying opportunities and managing risk in an unstable world’.
Retail property-related issues will be the focus of debate on the Grand Plaza Stage, while the Planning & Partnerships Forum will once again be devoted to the hotel, logistics, and office sectors. The new Transform & Beyond by Expo Real exhibition area, on the other hand, will zero in on digital solutions and how startups, corporates and VCs can work together on creating smart and sustainable buildings and energy-efficient urban districts.
