With over 20,000 participants from over 80 countries, MIPIM is the world's leading property event and a unique opportunity to access the international real estate community. The 4-day festival offers an opportunity to debate the future of real estate in workshops, panels, and keynotes.
Co-Founding Partners, Ian Simpson and Rachel Haugh, and Strategic Development Director, Linsay Drinkwater, were pleased to join the Manchester at MIPIM stand at this year's event and to be involved in presenting Greater Manchester to a global audience as a region that welcomes investment. We were also pleased that Ian and Rachel were invited to participate in Speaker Sessions while at MIPIM 2023.
On Wednesday 15th March Ian delivered a Speaker Session on Manchester Urban Evolution: The Compact, Walkable City, discussing how density via tall buildings and high-quality public realm can contribute and achieve powerful and innovative regeneration in cities like Manchester.
"I believe quite strongly that cities need people to drive demand, to drive function and be creative [...] Tall residential buildings are critical in building the densities we require, but also critical is keeping those buildings walkable to the core." Ian Simpson, Co-Founding Partner
The speaker event was followed by a Panel Discussion: Density in the City Context, For the discussion, Ian was joined by:
James Heather - Development Director, Trilogy
Becca Heron - Strategic Director of Growth and Development, Manchester City Council
Moderator: Jessica Middleton-Pugh - Residential and Retail Editor, React News
Moderator Jessica Middleton-Pugh posed some interesting questions and the panellists were passionate in their discussion about the placemaking that has been achieved in the city.
On Thursday 16th March, Rachel was also part of a Panel Discussion - Future Proofed Investment: Can Manchester Deliver for Generation Alpha? Imagining 2033. It was especially interesting to see the session begin with a video interviewing school children from St James C of E School in Rusholme, Manchester, about what they want from the future of their city region.
For the discussion, Rachel was joined by:
Dan Hyde - Development Director, NOMA
Becca Heron - Strategic Director of Growth and Development, Manchester City Council
Jane Healey Brown - Director, Arup
David Hilton - Business Development Director, MIDAS Manchester's Inward Investment Agency
Moderator: Jessica Middleton-Pugh - Residential and Retail Editor, React News
The panellists explored what the workspace environment will be like in 2033, how ESG and the drive to net zero will impact investment decisions and how we can future-proof investment opportunities.
"As architects we're used to looking to the future and working with our clients to predict what's coming to futureproof their business. What we try to do technically is respond to best practice but build in opportunity to be flexible with tech." Rachel Haugh, Co-Founding Partner
Both sessions were very well attended and offered interesting insight into the ongoing development in Manchester.
Attending alongside other major UK cities and regions joining the global real estate event, we were proud to be part of the strong UK presence. Ian, Rachel and Linsay thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the MIPIM Conference Programme and with others from across the world to unlock future development opportunities.