‘Innovation’- the word on everyone’s lips when talking about growth and resilience. From a new method to a trailblazing product or device, innovation is growing in demand across all UK industries. But what does this mean for the real estate sector?

The industry has been a slow adaptor to innovation and technology, but with the likes of net zero targets and ESG policy challenging current methods and infrastructure, it’s a topic that’s more important than ever.

After reading through KPMG's recent 'Real innovation in Real Estate' report, it’s clear that the sector has increased its efforts to innovate, but there is still a massive potential to embrace innovation across all areas.

Real estate businesses are uniquely placed to drive innovation. Our lifestyles and the levels of carbon we are responsible for producing rely on where we work and live. That’s perhaps why it appears a conscious effort is being made across the industry to create new spaces and products that positively impact people and the planet, whilst also supporting economic growth.  

My last attendance at MIPIM was some six years ago – this year I’m returning to (hopefully) sunny Cannes in the hopes of observing some of the innovation conversations that will be happening across the event. After making my way through the various programmes and content that have been put out so far, MIPIM’s programme looks to have insightful discussions and debates around plans to positively impact the country’s cities, communities and environment.

Check out the key themes and events around innovation we’ve uncovered that will be highlighted at MIPIM (and many more conferences of this scale) - and yes, you’ve spotted it, our list naturally has a northern flavour. 

PLACE: Innovation in our cities 

With innovation districts such as ID Manchester, KQ Liverpool, Sheffield AMID, and ARC Leeds, UK cities are already major drivers of investment across a range of sectors, including health, graphene, media and AI.  

KPMG’s report mentioned that one of the main hurdles to the boom of 'prop-tech' is the lack of research and ideas within the industry. Innovation hubs within major cities are perfectly placed to test and showcase new property-led tech. Fuelling key sectors such as med-tech, materials discovery and green technologies, these places are economic powerhouses and a draw for talent. With industry and the private sector offering direction, these innovative businesses can build partnerships and create educational and research-led content to support innovation to make it happen. 

I've listed some of the main city events you don't want to miss at MIPIM:

 Invest City Focus

• Tuesday 14th March & Wednesday 15th March (10:00 – 10:50)

• EG pavilion

This is a great opportunity to hear how different cities are prepared for the enormous potential of people, culture, places and spaces.

Shaping the innovation-rich city 

• Tuesday 14th March (9:30-10:30)

• The Manchester Stand – C15.A2  

I'm particularly interested to hear the direction Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, has in mind for the city. 

View more event information here.

Interconnected innovation districts  

• Wednesday 15th March (10:15 - 11:00)

• West Midlands Pavillion - Croisette C15 

As the largest emerging tech innovation cluster, some of the UK's biggest developers are weighing in on the value of West Midland's innovation and where it might take us.

View more event information here.

MAKING THE UK A SCIENCE SUPERPOWER 

• Thursday 16th March (11:30 - 12:00)

• Invest Newcastle - Stand C19.C

This panel discussion features experts from education, finance and industry, with discussions around how the North East can support the UK's ambition of becoming a global science superpower.

View more event information here.

PEOPLE: Positively impacting our communities

Inclusive growth has been on our radar for over a decade, and innovation is an important part of this. Despite only making up a slither of economic activity, innovation has a massive influence on economic success now and in the future. Now more than ever, the property sector needs to bring together a diverse range of experts to create the positive social impact the UK so desperately needs.  

In the past, inclusive innovation has been seen as a young concept with a lack of evidence to support it. Not anymore.

With plans for Innovation Accelerators set for Glasgow, West Midlands and Greater Manchester, Connected Places Catapult and the UK Innovations District Group created a report to define key concepts and understand how innovation can create equitable growth. 

The report points out that people and places across the UK are already exploring strategies for inclusive innovation, however, the process won’t become a success overnight. It highlights innovation districts as an anchor for inclusive innovation, so long as they opened up to groups that have had no previous engagement with economic innovation.  

Take a look at some of the interesting conversations happening off the back of this… 

INCLUSIVE INNOVATION 

• Tuesday 14th March (11.00- 11.45)

• Avison Young Pavilion C19.E 

This promises to be a lively discussion about how local leadership and collaboration can break down barriers and open doors to innovation networks. 

Delivering Fairer and INclusive Cities: The Salford and Belfast Way

• Tuesday 14th March (15:00 - 15:45)

• The Manchester Stand | C15.A2

Manchester and Belfast are set to spotlight their plans around delivering inclusive cities.

View more event information here.

Realising the ‘S’ and ‘G’ in ESG

• Wednesday 15^th March (15:00 – 15:30)

• The Leaders' Perspective stage

Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council is offering thoughts on accountability, transparency & what can be done to enhance societies and governance.

View more event information here.

Inclusive innovation and sustainable economies: How to grow place 

• Thursday 16^th March (8:30 – 10:00)

• The Grand Hotel breakfast event

A much-needed talk around the measures destinations and investors can consider to make sure their plans are inclusive and benefit the communities within which they operate.

View more event information here.

planet: The race to net zero

With the industry striving to hit net zero targets, it’s rightfully one of the biggest topics at MIPIM 2023. The main challenge for the industry is that buildings are energy intensive. In an assessment, the University of Cambridge found that buildings account for “50% of all extracted materials, 42% of final energy consumption, 35% of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, and 32% of waste flows” in the EU. To meet the net zero targets, the industry is going to require funding, innovative technologies and materials. Excitingly, MIPIM has already announced that net zero will be a theme within the main programme, with an exhibit and stage dedicated to the ‘road to zero’. 

Here's a taste of some of the net zero events.

Accelerating the progress to a net-zero carbon future

• Tuesday 14^th March (14:00 - 15:00)

• Road to Zero stage

It will be interesting to hear how net zero front-runners have developed effective decarbonisation strategies.

View more event information here.

How to establish a fair and just net-zero transition?

• Thursday 16^th March (09:45 – 10:45)

• Road to Zero stage

With affordability and social equality at risk, the panel will be talking about retrofitting solutions to avoid stranded assets.

View more event information here.

The path to net-zero buildings

• Thursday 16^th March (15:45 – 16:45)

• Make It Happen stage

The panel of experts will be sharing their 3-step approach to help achieve net-zero building ambitions, as well as top decarbonisation priorities.

View more event information here.

Smart Citizens: Changing human behaviour to achieve net zero

• Thursday 16th March (16:00 - 16:45)

• Invest Newcastle - stand C19.C

From impact education to incentivisation, the panel will be discussing how to influence building users to change their behaviour in favour of net-zero targets.

View more event information here.

PRODUCTS: Spotlighting the latest tech

A part of innovation that never gets the spotlight it deserves is the products that it creates. New technology is often the answer to our problems and drives competitive advantage across all areas of the built environment. But, without a platform to share prototypes and products to gain funding, new innovations never get off the ground. So, it’s great to see that MIPIM has created ‘Propel Station’, a 4-day programme that will showcase 75+ industrial players, experienced tech companies, rising scale-ups and start-ups.

If you’re looking to share your latest innovation or are seeking a solution to boost your business, head to ‘The Building Tomorrow’ stage at the Propel Station. With everyone invited to speak, businesses will have a chance to share their ideas and be identified by target customers or investors. 

Take a look at some of the product innovation discussions happening across the main programme:  

Revolutionary infrastructure to help realize tomorrow’s cities

• Tuesday 14^th March (14:00 - 14:45)

• Infrastructure stage

Hear the panel’s thoughts on the role infrastructure can play in the regeneration of city centres.

View more event information here.

concretene: A Manchester Innovation to Lower Global Construction Carbon Emissions 

• 15th March 2023 (11:45–12:30)

• The Manchester Stand, C15.A2 

Find out about the impact concretene could have on a building’s carbon emissions.  

View more event information here.

The race to innovate smarter, healthier and sustainable cities

• Wednesday 15^th March (16:30 – 17:00)

•  Partner stage

With urban locations set to be home to 70% of the world’s population by 2050, hear opinions on how technology can help communities and businesses deliver sustainable urban developments.

View more event information here.

Using prop-tech to explore and improve the most interesting, impactful and profitable issues in our sector

• Thursday 16^th March (13:00 – 13:45)

• EG Pavilion

A great talk to attend – on the topic of disruptive technologies and their contribution to sustainability targets, the panel will be talking about how the sector should innovate and who we should have on board.

View more event information here.

WHAT NEXT?

Key decision-makers and investors will be out in force at MIPIM this year. As experts and leaders within the industry, we have a responsibility to get in front of them and campaign for sensible, smart and inclusive innovation. Let’s hope the appearance of innovation lives up to the schedule and takes centre stage for years to come.

Anna Heyes, Founder and CEO of Active Profile, will be heading to MIPIM this year. Message her on LinkedIn if you'd like to connect!

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn here.