For investors and project developers, EXPO REAL from 23 to 25 October 2006, will again be a broad-based platform for gathering information and talking to exhibitors about architecture. Planners will be presenting a wide range of projects, from individual properties through to urban districts and town planning. In addition EXPO REAL is putting on a conference programme as a forum for practical, up-to-date information.
In the HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY DIALOGUE, a trade forum on hotel property, which takes place on Monday, 23 October 2006, the famous architect Matteo Thun of Milan will be attending a panel discussion on 'Medical Spas: Design follows Function? Project developers con(tra) architects'. The integration of preventive medicine into the experience of health spas is more and more in demand, hence the interest in medical spas. The panel will be exploring this trend and how to implement this complex programme in architecture.
A dialogue on the future, with planners and investors, is being organised by DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Europe. Their theme is: 'European cities in a process of change concepts, alliances and finance for better quality of life'. Participants in this discussion include the president of ULI Europe, Bill Kistler, Dr Frank Billand, Board Member of DIFA, and experienced architects like Prof. Joan Busquet, an architect and town planner in Barcelona. The discussion is being chaired by the well known TV journalist Brigitte Bastgen. This event will also be the platform for the presentation of the DIFA Awards for planning initiatives in urban districts that have improved the quality of life in our cities. 75 urban districts from 16 European countries have entered for the award.
Architecture is an important theme at EXPO REAL, not only in the conference programme. Architects and planning companies are strongly represented among the exhibitors. In total, at this 9th International Commercial Property Exposition, some 1,550 exhibitors from 35 countries will be taking part. This year, for the first time, the Bundesarchitektenkammer (German Federal Association of Architects) will be taking a joint stand with the architectural associations of the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse. Their motto for the joint stand is 'Knowing what is possible the architects'. Each day at their stand there will be a discussion session on the subject of 'Architecture as a marketing tool'. Building developers and architects will be presenting selected projects that show the interaction of architecture and public impact, and exploring the question of which corporate goals can successfully be communicated via architecture.
EXPO REAL also offers architects plenty of opportuntiy to find new clients and business partners. Developers from the United Arab Emirates will be giving insight into their spectacular resort and hotel projects, and high-rises such as the Dubai Towers currently being built in Qatar. In Central and Eastern Europe, too, a new market with planning needs is developing, thanks to the rising purchasing power in these regions. For example, Poland: In two years, according to a survey by the real-estate consultants Jones Lang LaSalle, there will be twice as many shopping centres there as today; sales space will have increased by one third, or 1.3 million m². Investment of over €1 billion is expected. The already established markets in this region from Warsaw, Prague and Budapest to Moscow will be putting on a presentation at EXPO REAL, along with new market participants such as Albania and Romania.
Source: Expo Real
