The PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit discusses future of cities

BANGKOK, Thailand — The 10th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES), the thought leadership platform of PropertyGuru Group, gathered experts and thought leaders to discuss the intersecting issues moving and shaking the real estate industry, including technology, design, business development, economics, and more.

Themed “Shaping the Aspirations of Future Cities,” ARES 2024 attracted more than 300 delegates to The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok on Thursday, 12 December 2024 for a series of insightful discourses. Around 30 speakers from around the world participated in talks, keynotes, and panel discussions at the 2024 Summit, which was thematically segmented into Building Future Communities; Powering Innovative Businesses; and Embracing Shared Prosperity.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “Cities are a canvas for the real estate industry, and the 10th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit provided valuable insights into the aspirations of urban living. Through these discussions and critical conversations, we learned how residents and businesses will create and inhabit built spaces moving forward. The collective ideas and collaboration we’ve witnessed during PropertyGuru Week once again made it a truly meaningful milestone for our industry in Asia.”

The Summit showcased keynote addresses from leading personages who provided invaluable insights into urban living, economic trends, and the life-changing potential of real estate, among others. Hari V Krishnan, CEO and managing director of PropertyGuru Group, welcomed attendees by emphasising the importance of developing real estate development in sync with the aspirations of urban dwellers.

Hari V Krishnan said: “We power communities to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow's cities. This year’s summit convened leading experts and stakeholders from across Asia and beyond to address the challenges and opportunities impacting our urban environments. This exchange of ideas reaffirmed that thoughtfully planned, environmentally conscious spaces are crucial to sustaining cities as they accommodate the next generations of property seekers and enterprises. We all leave the event inspired for the future.”

Returning this year was Sumana Rajarethnam, director for South-East Asia at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, who provided an in-depth, data-driven keynote on the Asian economy, contextualising the region’s growth opportunities and challenges into the next year.

Pop superstar, actor, and creator Golf Pichaya Nitipaisalkul humanised the summit with a keynote that resonated with the universal aspirations of city dwellers and shared his journey to finding his dream home.

Stephen Oehme, chairperson of the Summit, value management specialist, sustainability advocate, and managing director of Quantum, delivered a message on the global outlook for Asia Pacific.

Complementing the keynote addresses, the Summit’s panel discussions offered diverse perspectives on pivotal topics. Experts joined Dr. Nai Jia Lee, head of real estate intelligence at PropertyGuru Group, in a panel discussion defining future homes: Anton Wormann, creator of Anton in Japan, entrepreneur, and real estate advisor; David Chong, chief operating officer of REHDA Institute (Malaysia); and Muhammad Adhiguna Sosiawan, CMO and director of architecture at Mas Group (Indonesia).

In addition to future homes, the Summit provided an analysis on the branded residences sector. Bill Barnett, founder and managing director of C9 Hotelworks, moderated a panel that included hospitality stalwarts Gianfranco Bianchi, general manager for Asia Pacific at The One Atelier; Leanne Reddie, chief development officer of GHM Hotels; Penny Trinh, vice-president for mixed-use development at Marriott International; and Saowarin Chanprakaisi, vice-president for business development at The Ascott Limited.

The influence of culture, communites, and built spaces also took centre stage with a panel discussion among Wendy McEwan, VP for transformation and chief of staff at the Office of the CEO, PropertyGuru Group; Alex Bentley, digital creator; Chelsea Perino, managing director of global communications of The Executive Centre; Kristin Thorsteins, founder and co-managing partner of Portman Investments; and Michael Jones, certified ergonomist and wellness coach at Pain-Free Me Studio.

Leading thinkers in architecture and design also shared their insights in a panel discussion on designing for impact. Moderated by Stephen Pimbley, founder partner and director of SPARK Architects, the panel featured Colin Chee, creator and creative director of Never Too Small; Jessica Bianca Sy, VP and head of design, innovation, and strategy at SMDC; Patrick Keane, founder of Enter Projects Asia; and Shao-wei Huang, associate director of Zaha Hadid Architects.

The final panel discussion tackled the convergence of culture and innovation in giga-cities within the Middle East, with David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia, moderating. Panellists included James A. Kaplan, CEO of Destination Capital; Khalid Otain, managing partner of HLB Middle East; and Stephen Oehme.

Emceed by international events and podcast host Tina Ryan, ARES 2024 was one of the anchor events of PropertyGuru Week. The Summit was followed by the ARES VIP Cocktail Party, celebrating five Power Women who have become exemplars of diversity, equity, and inclusion in real estate and related fields.

Through initiatives like the celebration of Power Women, ARES 2024 renews its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Summit delegates received gifts crafted by women and families supported by the social enterprise Dao Ethical Gifts.

The Summit also paved the way for the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards International Luncheon, which presented the inaugural awards for the Middle East, alongside the latest awards for Cambodia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, India, Japan, and Sri Lanka. PropertyGuru Week concluded with a series of insightful presentations by Anton Love at Cinema Oasis Bangkok.

The 10th PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit 2024 is sponsored by Sub-Zero Wolf, Delivering Asia, and PropertyGuru for Business and supported by official portal partner PropertyGuru; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partners Bridges, BusinessWorld, Detik.com, Kompas.com, Luxury Society Asia, Manila Bulletin, Prop2morrow, Tatler Asia Homes, and The Philippine Star; and supporting association REHDA Institute. The ARES VIP Cocktail Party is sponsored by PropertyGuru For Business.

For more information, email ares@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaRealEstateSummit.com.