Urbanisation

People and place; poverty and plenty.

These are the stories of human movement and settlement. In the post-pandemic era, economic uncertainty is highlighting liveability deficits across the urbanised world. For cities to remain engines of growth, opportunity and prosperity, there can be no more business as usual.

A more equitable future is within reach. First, we must harness the enormous potential of the 21st century’s people, places and spaces. #WBEF

Latest insights

How are cities accelerating progress towards a sustainable future?

In a compelling webinar held in collaboration with Arcadis, industry leaders across Europe explored how cities can balance people, planet, profit and progress to further urban sustainability.

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The Planet of Cities: Latin American and Caribbean cities from 1980 to 2080

From unequal, sprawling metropolises of the 1980s to today’s vibrant hubs of innovation, Latin American and Caribbean cities have transformed their challenges into opportunities for reinvention.

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The Planet of Cities: North American cities from 1980 to 2080

Shaped by financial crises, globalisation, industrial offshoring, suburbanisation, the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting geopolitics, North America’s urban landscape tells a story of resilience, reinvention and disruption.

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Pathways to net zero for surveyors: five reasons to be cheerful

Claire O’Neill, former UK climate change and energy minister, spoke about the role surveyors play in reaching net zero in the built and natural environment. Here, we share her opening keynote speech at the recent RICS Global Sustainability Conference 2024.

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The Planet of Cities: the journey of European cities from 1980 to 2080

In the last 50 years, European cities have struggled to keep pace with the world’s fastest-growing urban centres, in terms of size, demographics, productivity, economic dynamism, connectivity and innovation.

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Building inclusive cities: the role of real estate

How inclusive are today's cities? Drawing on the results of the Cushman & Wakefield Inclusive Cities Barometer, a recent webinar examined the role of that the real estate industry plays in fostering socially equitable and healthy urban environments.

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The planet of cities: peak population and urbanisation in the next 100 years

As discussed in the first column of this series, when considering the future of cities, it is important to observe the increasing urbanisation of our people and planet.

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The Planet of Cities: the rise of a global urban population

Over almost nine centuries, we have embraced population growth, new technologies and the spread of trade and civilisation. We did this first by building, and then, regenerating, cities.

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Whole life cost in real estate: Sustainability by design (part two)

In a recent webinar, a panel of experts discussed whether a whole life cost strategy can enhance decision-making in the design and operation of assets and lead to more informed investment decisions.

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Financing net zero neighbourhoods in the UK: An integrated approach

How can we finance the retrofit of over 29 million homes in the UK? In a recent webinar, a panel of experts discussed 3Ci’s ‘Net Zero Neighbourhoods’ initiative and the advantages to place-based investment.

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