The four-strong team won the contest due to ‘the best overall approach to the challenge’, which involved developing a financially viable living scheme delivering on affordable housing, social value, clever use of space, while respecting local heritage architecture, the organisers said.

Six teams were selected for the final, drawn from a mix of universities and business schools:  Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain; The University of Manchester, UK; INSEAD, South Korea; UCL, UK; EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht, Germany and London School of Economics / London Business School, UK.

During the final round of the contest on 10 May, the students were tested on their skills and knowledge of real estate, development, and environment and social sustainability through a practical and rigorous case study based on a social housing project in Berlin.

They were assessed by a jury of eight senior pan-European real estate leaders, including: Lars Huber, CEO, Hines Europe; Lisette van Doorn, CEO – Europe, ULI; Sir Stuart Lipton, Partner, Lipton Rogers Developments; Brian Moran, head of Hines in Ireland; Frank Schimrigk, head of technology, Gewobag; Nicolas Bearelle, Executive Chairman, Revive; Maureen Mahr von Staszewski, investment management expert and Carlo Castelli, architect and masterplanner.

The four winners - Aakash Mathur, Hiba Jabbour, Nimrah Maryam and Max Medina - will each receive a fast track to the Hines internship programme, a guided tour of an existing development project, participation in project meetings in Hines’ European offices, and complimentary access to bespoke in-person opportunities to participate in ULI’s programmes.

Each finalist will also receive a one-year ULI membership providing access to research content, events, webinars, education and mentorship programmes, knowledge sharing, and connections with a global network of real estate and land use professionals.

Lisette van Doorn, CEO of ULI Europe, said: ‘Many congratulations to our winners, and to all the participants taking part in what has been an exceptional competition with a very high standard of creative thinking applied to some compelling practical solutions. This competition truly provides an encouraging, vivid glimpse into the diverse talent pipeline that is getting ready to enter the real estate industry.’

Lars Huber, CEO of Hines Europe, said the six finalist teams ‘had a unique opportunity to present to senior industry leaders to exhibit their innovative approaches to a live case study, testing their skills on a range of topical and practical solutions needed in the built environment’.

‘We believe the competition showcases the pioneering attitude of those starting out in the industry and we were impressed with each proposal at this year’s final.’