Asia Real Estate Summit 2024 continues to drive innovation and sustainability
BY Manila Bulletin
• 4 min. read
The cities we inhabit—where we live, work, and play—are brought to life through the vision and determination of property developers. From homes and offices to leisure hubs, these developments go beyond mere structures; they represent a commitment to building sustainable communities that inspire and empower.
The PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) celebrated a decade of excellence on December 12, 2024, at the iconic Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. This milestone event reaffirmed its position as Asia’s leading thought-leadership platform for real estate, bringing together over 300 delegates and 30 speakers from across the globe.
Under the theme, “Shaping the Aspirations of Future Cities,” ARES set the stage for dynamic discussions on technology, design, and sustainability—key elements shaping the future of urban living.
“ARES has been a champion for innovation and sustainability,” says Hari V. Krishnan, chief executive officer and managing director of PropertyGuru Group, in his opening keynote on working together to shape communities into vibrant spaces where people can live, work, and thrive. “To elevate the rest of the industry, it’s all about the exchange of perspectives—and that’s what today is truly about.”
Krishnan also underscored the industry’s role in building spaces that are not only functional but also environmentally conscious. “We power communities to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow’s cities,” he said. “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.”
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, likened cities to a “canvas” for real estate innovation. “Here we are, getting inspired for the future by the people who are thinking about the future—a sustainable future, a future that makes people’s lives better, and a future where we leave something meaningful on this planet,” Kay said.
Panel discussions throughout the day delved deep into topics such as future homes, the rise of branded residences, and how culture shapes community design. Visionaries like Jessica Bianca Sy of SMDC and Shao-wei Huang of Zaha Hadid Architects offered insights on creating meaningful, sustainable designs, while sessions on giga-cities highlighted innovation in regions like the Middle East.
A celebratory highlight of the summit was the ARES VIP Cocktail Party, which honored five “Power Women” driving diversity and innovation in real estate. The event also saw the debut of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards for the Middle East and a reflective presentation by Anton Love at Cinema Oasis Bangkok.
As part of PropertyGuru Week, ARES 2024 proved more than just an event. It was a collaborative platform for industry leaders and innovators to reimagine the future of cities, inspiring sustainable and inclusive urban environments for generations to come.