MIPIM 2020: 10 Talks Not to Miss

MIPIM is always an exciting date to have in the calendar, and this year’s theme “The Future is Human” is bound to bring up some interesting perspectives on how to bring people into focus in a sustainable way. We know that the event can feel quite overwhelming, which is why we’ve collected 10 talks we’re not missing whilst we’re there. For more tips on how to survive MIPIM, look here. If you can’t make it to MIPIM this year, there are many other great events throughout 2020 to go to for inspiration and connections.

There are hundreds of events during the four-day conference, so the following list is only a snapshot of what is available, but these are the ones we’re attending and that we’ve concluded will be great places to network and get an update on the latest innovations on the market.

10 March

11-12: Ruby Room – Palais 5: From Smart City to Empathic City

This panel discussion will examine how to build comfortable living environments for people. It is no longer enough to simply put up buildings, the focus has to be on the user and how best to integrate that into the design and functionality of the building.

14-15: Grand Auditorium – Palais 1: Thinkers & Leaders: The future is human

A great place to start to discover more about this year’s theme with industry leaders and decision-makers coming together to discuss how humans have to be in the centre of the challenges the industry is facing. The moderator for this session is Courtney Fingar, editor-in-chief of fDi Magazine with panellists Hala El Akl from PLP Architecture, Catherine McGuinness from City of London Corporation, Thomas Oetterli of Schindler Group, Neil Slater from Aberdeen Standard Investments and Olivier Vassart of Steligence.

15-15:45 – Red Room – Palais 3: How to adapt housing development in regard to demographics

What are the future needs for housing developments and how does the market need to change in order to supply future demand? We’re sure to find out here whilst also taking a look at housing development strategies. The speakers for this event are Natascha McIntyre Hall from Portsmouth City Council and Christian Windfuhr of Grand City Properties.

11 March

9-9:50: Salon Harbook – Gare Maritime: ESG & Sustainability Investment

With a greater importance put on environmental, social and corporate governance policies the industry has to follow suit. The companies that have an ESG strategy are likely to reap the benefits of it in the long term. How to do that is what the market experts will be discussing. The panellists for this panel are Christiane Conrads from PwC Legal, Damian Harrington and Andy Hay from Colliers International and Lars Schnidrig of Corestate Capital Holding.

11-11:45: Red Room – Palais 3: Governance: a citizen’s experience of the city

Cities need to respond to their citizen’s ever-changing needs. The panel will discuss how to give their citizens a greater sense of belonging and a feeling of being more closely connected with their cities. It will be interesting to see what businesses and designs develop during this discussion. The moderator for this panel discussion will be Anna Lisa Boni, Secretary General of Eurocities. The key note speaker Steven Kellett from Argent LLP and panellist Ricardo Veludo from Lisbon City Council.

15:15 – 16: Indigo Room – Palais 3: Developing city attractiveness through leisure & entertainment

In order to put people back into the centre of urban development, their needs have to be satisfied. More people want to be entertained. Some of the ways to make a city more attractive through leisure and entertainment will be discussed by this panel. The panel consists of Yael Coifman of Leisure Development Partners, Peter Trydeman from GoBoat, Pleun van Dalen from Dutch Wheels and Josée Chiasson from the City of Montreal.

12 March

11:15-12: Indigo Room – Palais 3: The future of buildings

We’re excited to find out more about what the future of buildings look like, which trends are currently happening and what long-term changes need to be taken into account already. The panellist for this talk will be Laurent Bataille from Schneider Electric. Bataille is an expert in the field of smart building technology.

12:30-13: Indigo Room – Palais 3: Master Class – Designing for the future: a method delivering social value

A brief master class on the importance of social value and how to incorporate it into real estate. We’re bound to learn more about how to make the most of intangible assets like social networks, experience, locality, and wellbeing.

14-14:45: Indigo Room – Palais 3: The role of Real Estate in improving health

Get answers to the question: how can building improve human health? As well as a discussion on how land use planning has an impact on health. There’s sure to be a good debate on how to optimise land use for health and business. The moderator for this panel discussion will be Stacey Meadwell, a Freelance Property Writer & Editor. The panel is composed of Louise Brooke-Smith from Consilio Strategic Consultancy Ltd., Joanna Frank of The Center for Active Design, Andrew Kerr from the City of Edinburgh Council and Alessandro Sparaco from Threestones Capital Management SA.

15:15-16: Beige Room – Palais 3: Hotels changing the face of cities through experience

A great chance to find out more about what a people-centric sustainable approach is and how technology plays a role in that kind of approach. It’ll be interesting to hear more about what to consider when using a people-centric approach in a real estate project or when city planning. For this panel discussion, the moderator will be Gui Perdrix of Co-Liv, Carine Bonnejean of Christie & Co, Thomas Huw from Cardiff Council and Valérie Parenty from Saguez & Partners.

This is just a snapshot of the many talks and events taking place at MIPIM this year. We’re certainly excited about the event and look forward to meeting many of you there!