World Built Environment Forum

The built environment's forum for the future.

The World Built Environment Forum is an initiative of RICS, the leading international professional body in the sector. We have a formal public interest remit and our work aims to ensure that markets operate in the best interests of society.

Our mission is to advance discussions of critical importance to the built and natural environment, inspiring positive and sustainable change for a prosperous and inclusive future.

The planet of cities

How can buildings and cities support sustainable growth now and adapt to future population decline?

Help us improve the WBEF website

We value your feedback. Take a quick survey and tell us what content matters most to you and how we can enhance your experience. Your input will shape the future of the World Built Environment Forum.

Upcoming WBEF Webinars

Tree in the middle of a built environment

Webinar

RICS Sustainability Report 2024: A year of progress?

• Online

Free

Webinar

Strategies for design, construction and financing against climate disasters

• 1.0 Hours Formal CPD • Online

Free

Webinar

Circularity in real estate: Approaches to achieving a truly sustainable sector

• Online

Free

Webinar

Climate contracting in real estate: The role of greener deals in reducing global carbon emissions

• Online

Free

Latest megatrend insights

Professional conduct and the responsible use of AI

The awareness and use of AI across the land and property life cycle has steadily grown in recent years, bringing both advantages and risks to professionals and their clients.

Article from

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.

Article from

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.

Article from

RICS global construction monitor results Q3 2024: Activity growth slowing but remains positive

The Construction Sentiment Index for Q3 2024 indicates an easing in activity growth, while trends at sector level are more divergent.

Article from

RICS commercial property monitor results Q3 2024: Are global real estate markets in early recovery?

The Commercial Property Sentiment Index for Q3 2024 tentatively points to global real estate markets moving towards a more positive trajectory. However, the latest survey results indicate considerable variation in the outlook for the next 12 months regarding different regions, countries and sectors.

Article from

Attracting investment into net zero neighbourhoods: local approaches for global decarbonisation

What specific investment challenges are neighbourhood decarbonisation initiatives in parts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia encountering, and how are these being overcome? A recent webinar welcomed experts to discuss these issues.

Article from

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.

Article from

Housing markets in 2024 and beyond: overcoming the sector’s ‘wicked’ problems

The delivery of adequate housing across all tenures is a challenge familiar to many markets around the world. In a recent webinar, a panel of experts from across Europe discussed the drivers and barriers to creating a more sustainable supply of housing.

Article from

ESG risk, resilience, and adaptation in real estate: shaping future practices

As the real estate industry grapples with advancing ESG priorities, experts in a recent webinar highlighted the importance of adapting business models and leveraging technology.

Article from

Leading indicators: could change in fiscal rules unlock funding for 1.5 million new homes in the UK?

Leading Indicators is a column written by RICS chief economist, Simon Rubinsohn. This month, could taking a balance sheet approach to fiscal policy help the UK government realise its housebuilding ambitions?

Article from

Digitalisation in the Indian construction sector: A comparative study from design to handover

India could become the third-largest economy in the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum. Construction is a significant contributor to the country’s gross value added (GVA), however, labour productivity in India's construction sector is lagging.

Article from

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.

Article from

Lightning talks

Video

Smart Readiness Indicator: Practical implications for the construction and real estate sectors

How does Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) fit into the broader ESG concept and how is it enabling the effective decarbonisation of the built environment?

Video

Technical and AI jargon: Explanation of the technology changing the built and natural environment

How can artificial intelligence systems be trained and applied to different kinds of tasks in the built environment and what impacts will this have on professionals?

Video

The role of AI in improving sustainable outcomes in real estate

How will the increasing adoption of AI affect sustainability in the real estate sector?

Video

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Objectives and challenges

The building sector is crucial for achieving the EU’s energy and environmental goals.

Video

How digital transformation will impact the construction industry

As digital technologies become more cohesive, how will they affect the construction sector?

Video

The power of data and technology for quantity surveyors and cost managers

The growing significance of data and technology in quantity surveying and cost management practices cannot be overstated.

Video

RICS Q1 2023 Global Construction Monitor findings

Where has the global construction industry shown the most resilience to the economic downturn?

Video

The UK’s journey to net zero

Amidst rising inflation and high energy bills, how is the UK government advancing on their targets and what are the latest proposals?

Video

IEA: The future of energy and emissions

Brian Motherway is Head of the Energy Efficiency Division of the International Energy Agency (IEA). In this excerpt, taken from his keynote speech at WBEF Week 2023, he presents IEA insight on the future of energy demand, energy security, and energy efficiency.