Truly “A Journey in Time”!!! Hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since my first visit to Dubai during my Disney days. It’s taken almost that long to get over my scepticism! Back then the road to Abu Dhabi was two lanes with large speed bumps and the tallest building in town was maybe 25 stories. I’ve returned every couple of years, always on business and each time been surprised by something bigger and crazier. Today, the city has the tallest building in the world, the biggest shopping centre, the biggest waterpark, more hotel rooms than Las Vegas and over 17 million visitors a year. Other cities have made incredible progress in 30 years, think Singapore, Shanghai or neighbouring Abu Dhabi, but none can match Dubai. Still a work in progress, but one can’t deny it’s amazing success. In some ways they have out Disney-ed Disney! Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs shared the ambition behind this remarkable achievement at a ceremony celebrating the 30th year anniversary of The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECS+R). I was honored to be there thanks to my friend, the CEO of the MECS+R, David Macadam who kindly invited me not knowing it was also the anniversary of my first visit! urbanOvation Urban Land Institute ICSC Malachy Kavanagh, CAE Todd Mansfield Peter Rummell Frank Stanek José María Pons Gerald Parkes Younis Al Mulla Helal S K Almarri Imad Abulaban Paul Hanegraaf Shahswar Al Balushi Uwe S. Brandes Blair Hagkull, ICD.D Robert Lee FRICS Angela Cain #Dubai #urbaninnovation
urbanOvation
Real Estate
Connect, Collaborate and Innovate, to Unlock Opportunities and Grow.
About us
Connect, Collaborate and Innovate, to Unlock Opportunities and Grow Leading community & marketplace for the built environment—urbanOvation connects the Creators who shape cities, the Suppliers who provide products and services, the Users who bring places to life. We are a platform to share insights, opportunities,and expertise, and deliver innovative urban outcomes.
- Website
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https://urban-ovation.com
External link for urbanOvation
- Industry
- Real Estate
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2020
Locations
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Primary
London, GB
Employees at urbanOvation
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Bill Kistler
Founder and Managing Partner at urbanOvation
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Simon Foxley
European real estate investor, advisor and entrepreneur
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MICHEL ŽALAC
⤷ Managing Director, CARON PARTNERS — Delivering recurring impact by focusing on revenue generation & experience throughout the lifecycle in real…
Updates
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The 100 Global Cities Shaping Tomorrow... do you agree with the ranking? The World’s Best Cities 2025 report, by Resonance Consultancy and IPSOS, is a comprehensive ranking of the top 100 urban centres globally. It combines performance metrics with perception-based insights from over 22,000 respondents across 30 countries. The insights for real estate investors and developers shed light on evolving market dynamics to inform better decisions in the year ahead. For cities and the real estate industry, the report explores important trends: Focus on Sustainability and Livability: Cities like Madrid and Paris are investing heavily in green infrastructure, such as Madrid’s urban forest network and Paris’s Grand Paris Express, signalling a shift towards sustainable urban living that enhances real estate value. A Metropolitan Resurgence: Post-pandemic recovery is evident in cities like New York, with record real estate investments and tourism rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. This reinforces the role of urban centers as economic and cultural powerhouses. Mixed-Use Developments: Cities like London and Tokyo are reinventing underutilized areas with projects such as Canary Wharf 3.0 and Tokyo Expressway’s pedestrian-friendly transformation, offering new opportunities for residential and commercial real estate. Housing Affordability: As cities like Barcelona impose stricter vacation rental regulations, the focus is shifting to long-term housing affordability, a critical concern for urban real estate markets. Innovation and Technology Hubs: Cities like Singapore and Sydney are investing in tech-driven ecosystems, fostering business growth and demand for commercial real estate. The report emphasizes the need for cities and the real estate industry to adapt, prioritize sustainability, leverage technology, and foster innovation to remain competitive. Visit urbanOvation to read the full report and get insights into the forces shaping cities and the real estate industry. #Cities #ranking #2025 #urbanland #investment #realestate Davide Padoa Stuart Patrick CBE Bill Hughes Joris de van der Schueren José María Pons Prof Greg Clark CBE FAcSS
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Need a better crystal ball?! Dubai Future Foundation published "The Global 50", a comprehensive look at the megatrends, uncertainties, and assumptions shaping a rapidly changing world. This thought-provoking guide for businesses, and innovators with actionable insights. Several of the key trends have profound implications for cities and the built environment: A Materials Revolution: Advances in materials science are driving sustainability, with innovations like self-repairing materials, bio-based alternatives, and materials that reduce emissions from the built environment. Boundless Data: Prepare for an explosion of real-time data fuelled by quantum computing, AI, and IoT. This data surge will influence urban planning, governance, and citizen engagement. Saving Ecosystems: As climate change reshapes urban, integrating green infrastructure and carbon-neutral urban planning becomes essential. Digital Realities: Augmented and virtual realities, combined with the metaverse, are redefining how we design, interact with, and experience urban spaces. By highlighting 10 megatrends and 50 specific opportunities, this report is a blueprint for adapting to the future. Visit urbanOvation for a link to the full report! Steve Ridd MICHEL ŽALAC Elliott Hale James Rayner William Sebring Paul Stasse Dan Parr
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Is this the future of #retail ? Future Stores by OUTFORM in London 👇
⤷ Managing Director, CARON PARTNERS — Delivering recurring impact by focusing on revenue generation & experience throughout the lifecycle in real estate, retail, leisure, entertainment, technology, and risk management.
Check this video! 🔙 Last week, before travelling to Türkiye 🇹🇷 for the #SCMM2024 event,(🔜and next week MAPIC 🇫🇷 ), I revisited the Intel Corporation / Intel AI Experience at Future Stores conceptualised and developed by OUTFORM in London 🇬🇧 on Oxford Street. Inspired by their Founder and CEO Ariel Haroush keynote at Jayne Rafter’s Retail & Leisure International event and my first visit two weeks ago, I was keen to return in the evening. Walking into the store felt like stepping into a seamless blend of technology and customer engagement. The 400 square metres of #LED displays and #AI-powered demos were impressive, showcasing how real-time data and personalisation can create impressive immersive in-store experiences. But here’s what struck me: while I was fascinated—I should be I’m in the industry!—, my friends (all in their 40s, Gen X/millennials) weren’t that bothered ... and In was shocked! For them, it was just another store with flashy lights. This contrast made me wonder: how will concepts like these resonate across different generations and consumer expectations? While Future Stores’ theme this time is Intel’s AI-powered solutions, next time it might be a #Netflix or #Amazon global movie or series activation with another immersive experience that builds a connection between a brand and its audience, and linked to merchandise. I can see this concept boost the evolving dynamic between e-commerce and physical retail. Online shopping excels in convenience, but physical spaces like this offer the tangible, sensory, and human interactions that e-commerce can’t replicate. For me it’s not about online versus offline, it’s about blending the two to create an omnichannel journey that meets diverse needs. If you’re in #London, check it out before 1st December. It’s a glimpse into how retail and customer experiences are evolving. … The next day, we shifted gears and went for heritage, visiting the iconic Fortnum & Mason store. This time, we did some actual shopping. Picking up Christmas 🎄cards and decorations. It’s one of my favourite stores! What’s your favourite store and what’s your take on bridging physical and digital retail? Linda Johansen-James Audra Lamoon F.I.T.O.L Melissa Moore Sam Kirk Anita Stampfl Shannon Quilty, CSM Chris Igwe Let me know your thoughts below or let’s have a chat next week in Cannes at MAPIC ! #retail #shops #realestate #innovation #ai #cx #vastgoed #beleving #popup European Council of Shopping Places (ECSP) Kern - Netwerk voor Centrumgebieden en Retail
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https://lnkd.in/eu_d7zaz Guy Perry Peter Rummell Andrew Zolli Uwe S. Brandes Duncan Swinhoe Ibrahim Ibrahim Gaia Arzilli
The Hottest Year on Record... Time to build an Ark?. Those who aren't in denial know rising sea levels are an urgent threat to cities. It's time to innovate, not panic. Don't hold your breath for answers from COP29 Azerbaijan! Watch this inspired PBS documentary, addressing the challenge with creative solutions. Featuring insights from top experts like architect Koen Olthuis, urban planner Henk Ovink, and climate scientists from around the globe, the film explores real-world examples and visionary ideas—from floating neighbourhoods to advanced flood defences. Visit urbanOvation to join the conversation on trends shaping the urban future. https://lnkd.in/eJx6fWi7 #cities #climatechange #flooding #urbandevelopment #futurecities #sustainability #news #thoughtleaders #innovation #Globalchange Tina Paillet, FRICS Eime Tobari Brian Kilkelly Robert de Jong Jeremy Salmon Rufus Grantham Helene Chartier Elliott Hale Steve Ridd Simon Foxley MICHEL ŽALAC Rebecca Kistler
Floating cities as an innovative response to climate change | DW Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/
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🌍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 🌍 At the recent Iberian Property Portugal Real Estate Summit, urbanOvation’s Founder, Bill Kistler, led a fascinating conversation with industry experts Ricardo Martinho, President of IBM Portugal, and David Brush, Senior Advisor at MERLIN Properties. Together, they uncovered the explosive demand for #datacentres in Europe, driven by #AI, #cloudcomputing, and an emerging wave of #innovation. ⚡💡 Key takeaways from the discussion: 🔹 AI and cloud computing are skyrocketing demand for new data centres, with Spain and Portugal emerging as key players thanks to their low energy costs and advanced infrastructure. 🔹 Challenges in real estate are holding back supply, from power and water requirements to complex development needs. 🔹 Opportunities abound as quantum computing and digital transformation accelerate, reshaping the future of data infrastructure in Europe. 👉Curious to learn more? Read the full recap and insights on urbanOvation, and join our discussion on this topic: https://lnkd.in/eXEHNgvT #DataCentres #RealEstate #AI #CloudComputing #QuantumComputing #UrbanOvation #Innovation #Spain #Portugal #Infrastructure Thanks António Gil Machado (FRICS), Arturo Malingre and Alexandre Lima for another fantastic event! #urbanOvation is proud to be your partner!
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𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗽. 🚀 While #AI promises increased productivity, the bigger question is how it will reshape the jobs and industries that have defined our cities and their #realestate landscapes. A recent report from The Brookings Institution highlights how AI is set to impact high-paying, white-collar jobs—the very roles that fueled #urban growth and the office-building boom over the past 70 years. As these jobs shift or disappear, what does this mean for the future of our cities, our commercial spaces, and the people who occupy them? The real estate industry must come together to understand AI’s far-reaching effects on the workforce and urban infrastructure. Now is the time for leaders to act and steer the course. 👉 Join the conversation on https://urban-ovation.com on how we can harness AI's potential. Let’s explore how the #builtenvironment can evolve to meet these new challenges. #AIImpact #BuiltEnvironment #FutureOfWork #RealEstate #UrbanDevelopment #AIandJobs #GenerativeAI #TechAndCities #AIInRealEstate https://lnkd.in/ekGKtTy8
Generative AI, the American worker, and the future of work
brookings.edu
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Last month, Bill Kistler, had the privilege of moderating a mind-blowing conversation about The Future of Data Centers with two leaders, Ricardo Martinho, and David Brush at the 2024 Iberian Property | Iberinmo Portugal Real Real Estate Summit in Estoril. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: 🔹AI and cloud computing are driving explosive demand for new Data Centers. 🔹Supply cannot keep pace given the complexity of these projects and expertise required to deliver them. 🔹The infrastructure requirements for power and water further limit available development locations. 👉 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻-𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.𝗰𝗼𝗺 Thanks António Gil Machado (FRICS), Arturo Malingre and Alexandre Lima for another fantastic event! #urbanOvation is honoured to be your partner!
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Future of Work 2024: Adapting to Succeed in a Dynamic, Ever Changing World An eye opening look at the furture. JLL’s Global Future of Work survey, a leading analysis of corporate real estate (CRE) trends, highlights how businesses are adapting to an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment. More than 2,300 global decision-makers revealed plans to grow headcount and invest in real estate, with many expecting larger budgets and footprints. However, companies are prioritizing workplace efficiency and smart use of space, with over 60% predicting higher workplace utilization over the next five years. The biggest challenge, according to the survey, is the difficulty in long-term planning due to the rapid pace of change, particularly in the CRE sector. As work patterns evolve, CRE professionals face the tough task of future-proofing workplaces while keeping a sharp focus on cost control and efficiency. This balancing act between innovation and caution is reshaping strategies for the future of work. To read the full report please visit urbanOvation:https://lnkd.in/euGPymPB #Office #Workplace #Realestate #Innovation #New #Research #Inspire #Thinkbig #Strategy #Thefuture #Tuesdaynews MICHEL ŽALAC Brent Wolfe
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If your attending EXPO REAL (Messe München) this year, come and find MICHEL ŽALAC to learn more about urbanOvation — the leading community & marketplace for the built environment. urbanOvation is an efficient, cost-effective platform to build connections, get market insights, showcase capabilities and uncover new opportunities. We connect the Creators who shape cities, the Suppliers who provide products and services, the Users who bring places to life. We are a platform to share insights, opportunities,and expertise, and deliver innovative urban outcomes. 👉 https://urban-ovation.com
urbanOvation driving collaboration, inspiration and innovation
urban-ovation.com