Real Estate, Society, Environment

This course explores the intersection of real estate and the critical environmental and social challenges shaping cities and markets today. As the world rapidly urbanizes and climate pressures mount, real estate has become a frontline sector in the pursuit of sustainability. This course enables students to understand and evaluate the role of the built environment in promoting (or hindering) sustainable outcomes. Through case-based learning, contemporary research, guest speakers, and extensive class discussions, students engage with the evolving language of and business case for sustainability.There will be a focus on the implications of environmental and social performance on asset valuation, investment risk, and urban development. The curriculum is structured around key stakeholder groups (e.g. asset owners, investors, regulators, and communities) and considers how each contributes to and is impacted by the drive toward decarbonization, health and wellness, affordability, and climate resiliency. Attention is also paid to the uneven distribution of sustainability’s benefits and burdens, including the importance of equitable urban development and operations. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to assess sustainability strategies and solutions as they impact assets and communities, with a critical eye toward real estate’s role in shaping inclusive and low-carbon cities.