How ULI Helps Communities Reimagine Themselves
Over the last two decades, ULI Boston has conduct 50 Technical Assistance Panels in Massachusetts and beyond, helping communities find ways through most challenging real estate and land use issues facing them.
Urban Heat Islands Reflect Racial, Social Inequity
The dangerous and racially unequal effects of urban heat islands can be reduced with a concerted effort involving the real estate, design and engineering fields – and a commitment from local governments.
COVID, Protests Cause Disruption in Commercial Real Estate
As the commonwealth moves through Phase II of reopening, it’s hard to imagine the economy heading back to “normal” anytime soon. Many are even questioning if getting back to “normal” should be the goal.
We Have a Golden Opportunity to Rethink Public Spaces
Cities and towns can repurpose their spaces to adapt to a socially-distanced world for the short-term, while also examining how such changes could provide long-term benefits.
Building Healthy Places More Important than Ever
While not created with a pandemic in mind, ULI-developed best practices for healthy design offer lessons we can all learn from in order to focus on using our built environment to increase health and access to healthy activities.
The Sharing Economy Has Already Made a Lasting Imprint on Real Estate
WeWork and Airbnb altered the way tenants look at property, the same way Uber and Lyft have upended the way passengers look at transportation
Boston’s Wetlands Ordinance Advances Climate Planning
As a coastal city uniquely vulnerable to sea level rise, Boston has embarked on an ambitious campaign to integrate climate resilience into city planning and policy.
Cooperatives Offer Innovative Option to Solve the Affordable Housing Shortage
There are many factors to consider before adopting a model that squeezes private development out of the equation, but addressing the severe shortage of affordable workforce housing calls for reimagining the way we build new homes for the middle class.
More Engagement Will Unlock Housing Affordability
Leaving the region’s housing policy in the hands of the small group of citizens who vote in local elections is not responsible. If only the “not in my backyard” contingent and the “more housing for all” contingent are taking part in local housing elections, we are missing the chance to address the housing issue on a broad scale.
Rising Rents Drive Investment in Boston Industrial Real Estate
Boston is ranked No. 2 for investor demand by the Urban Land Institute and PwC, and the industrial sector is drawing increasing interest, as limited supply has rents soaring to record levels.
Regional Solutions to Solve Housing Crisis Should Be Considered
Boston is a world-class city with strong economic fundamentals that is now enjoying robust growth. But there is a housing crisis here, and we need to look at many different tools to fix the problem. Maybe it’s finally time to stop building one zoning decision at a time.
How to Keep the Architect’s Eye on a Changing Future
Many times, lab managers and facility staff are left out of the planning phase. Often, by the time they are brought in, they are faced with solving problems that could have been avoided if only their voices were heard earlier in the process.
Boston Needs Ways to Live with Heat
Climate Ready Boston projects that by the year 2070 the temperature may reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit almost every day of the summer in eastern Massachusetts. The buildings and systems that we have created over the past 100 years were not designed to deal with such conditions.
Massachusetts Can Use Senior Housing as a Vaccine
If housing instability or a lack of a service-rich environment drives overutilization of the health care system, health care providers should be able to write a prescription for an affordable home, equipped with supportive resident services.
Proptech’s Growing Impact on the Built Environment
A buzzword for companies, products and services driven by both real estate and technology, “proptech” has emerged over the past several years at a rapid pace, captivating the traditional real estate industry.
Amid Boston’s High Absorption, Traffic and Inequality Are Troubling Low Points
Even with the construction of millions of square feet of new office and lab properties in recent years positive absorption remains steady year over year. But traffic isn’t the only dark lining among the silver clouds floating above the Pru. Inequality is a growing issue here
A Roadmap for Infrastructure Development
The lessons learned through the Merrimack Valley recovery effort can help form a roadmap for future infrastructure projects. To be successful, these projects will need adequate definition at the start and continuous efforts to contain scope.
Laboratory Land Use Expanding Beyond Cambridge
Greater Boston’s life science hub has outgrown its birthplace in Kendall Square/East Cambridge. Today, the area boasts a 0 percent direct vacancy rate for Class A laboratory space and rental rates approaching $100 per square foot, triple net.
