News & Insights

Specialty Leasing – Comes of Age!Once an afterthought, ‘Specialty Leasing’ has become key part of the retail real estate mix. Our urbanOvation ‘Reality Check’ made clear, it’s no longer just about filling gaps. It’s a way to test markets, create experience, generate revenue and turn underused space into something smarter.Three specialty leasing leaders kicked off the conversation;·       Dierk Sch

Wise investors and developers have always placed smart bets on retail. They’ve won more than they’ve lost—but even they’ll tell you: nothing you did yesterday guarantees a win tomorrow. The game keeps changing, and anyone pretending to see the future clearly is bluffing.Retail real estate has always been a gamble. It’s the only asset class where technology, geopolitics, and consumers mood swings c

With tens of millions of tons of debris, disputed land rights, and a collapsed economy, Gaza’s reconstruction depends on radical thinking—and a long-term vision that politics has yet to deliver.Last week, urban planners, engineers, and economists gathered for an urbanOvation ‘Reality Check’ on Gaza's reconstruction. The session was by moderated by urbanOvation founder, Bill Kistler and opened with

During our latest Future of Retail Forum expert meeting, we discussed 'The Power of Pop-Ups for Luxury Brands', and to explore how luxury retailers are using pop-up experiences to engage customers, test markets, and tell immersive brand stories.Key PointsIs the traditional luxury retail model is under siege? In its place, are pop-up stores emerging as a dynamic force, redefining how luxury brands

UrbanOvation was thrilled to be a proud supporter of the Solal Marketing Conference and Awards Gala in Warsaw, held on June 17, 2025! This landmark event marked the first live celebration of the shopping center industry's most effective and innovative marketing campaigns since the pandemic, bringing together finalists from across Europe, Canada, and South Africa. The Solal Awards are renowned as t

A thought-provoking urbanOvation Reality Check explored the pivotal role the real estate industry can play in Ukraine's recovery. Industry professionals from Ukraine and 13 other countries discussed the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding Ukrainian cities when the conflict finally concludes.A ‘fireside chat’ moderated by urbanOvation founder, Bill Kistler set the stage. Cameron Sawyer, Chai

Technology, People, and the Future of Food & RetailIt's not what you think!An urbanOvation Reality Check was an extraordinary debate that explored the challenges and opportunities behind the fusion of F&B, retail, and technology. The unscripted, discussion was led by uO’s Future of Retail Forum Co-Chairs, Chris Igwe and Linda Johansen James and featured industry leaders Jonathan Doughty and Will O

Last week, urbanOvation hosted a provocative ‘Reality Check’ debate: The 2025 Roadmap for Commercial Real Estate. 30 industry leaders, from bullish developers to cautious investors and ESG skeptics. They pulled no punches in an animated and candid ‘Chatham House discussion. Participants came well prepared after reading urbanOvation’s distillation of 15 leading market forecasts.CRE in 2025: Are you

Peering into 2025: the Commercial Real Estate Crystal BallDonald Rumsfeld famously reminded us, "There are known knowns; there are known unknowns; and there are also unknown unknowns." In other words, no matter how many charts, models, or expert panels we consult, surprises are inevitable. Still, we've sifted through the data to identify key trends shaping the industry in 2025. Whether you're brac

Dying Malls in US Born Again as Housing Across the United States, shopping malls are struggling with store closures and vacant spaces. This trend has led to a decline in the number of malls in the country, with nearly 34 million square feet of US mall space vacant and off the market as of early 2022. At the same time, the US is grappling with a significant housing deficit, needing an estimated 4.5

The 100 Global Cities Shaping Tomorrow 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

The Global 50 (2024) is a forward-looking look at the megatrends, uncertainties, and assumptions shaping a rapidly changing world. Created by the Dubai Future Foundation, this is a thought-provoking guide for businesses, and innovators, with actionable insights.Several of the key trends have profound implications for cities and the built environment:The Materials Revolution: Advances in materials

As we approach 2025, key technological trends are set to transform industries and daily life. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an even larger role, automating tasks, revolutionizing healthcare, and enhancing customer experiences. Quantum computing will emerge as a game-changer for solving complex problems, impacting sectors like cryptography, materials science, and logistics. Blockchain tech

Last month, urbanOvation Founder, Bill Kistler moderated a insightful conversation at the Iberinmo Portugal Real Estate Summit in Estoril, Portugal. He shared the stage with two leaders, Ricardo Martinho, President of IBM Portugal and David Brush, formerly Chief Investment Officer and now Senior Advisor at MERLIN Properties. Bill spent the first decade of his career at IBM and thought he knew some

No city is safe, cities around the world face profound climate risks This analysis by the CDP offers a clear and thorough look at the future cities are facing. The impact of the recent Hurricane Helene is yet another reminder of the challenge. As the world rapidly urbanizes, with 70 million people moving to cities each year, two-thirds of the global population will live in urban areas by 2050. Thi

A clear ans and insightful look at the furture of work in 2024.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 footprin

An eye opening look at the future of innovation districts and how they are evolving to fit our new normal.The traditional suburban research park is quickly becoming obsolete in the post-pandemic world. With remote work stabilizing at 28% of the week, isolated office environments are no longer appealing to startups or mature companies. A new study by the Association of University Research Parks (AU

A fascinating look at by Resonance at the worlds best cities of 2024's.Urban centers have long been the driving force behind regional, national, and global economies, showcasing human ingenuity for centuries. Despite being challenged in recent years by deep-rooted institutional issues, cities are now leading the charge in recovery, setting the stage for future innovation, livability, and sustainab

This recently published index by JLL is a highly insightful and informative look at the challenge of real estate market transparency around the world.A  transparency index score provides a useful introduction to unfamiliar markets, offering insight into what one might expect when entering new countries or cities. While it can't replace the invaluable knowledge gained through firsthand experience,

The Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics 2023 annual report ranking is based on a comprehensive approach to assessing innovation that covers the analysis of technological development, creative industries, and urban environment. The study is based on a specially developed system comprising 74 indicators calculated for 200 global cities with the use of recognized international data source