Real estate leaders discuss opportunities in shaping the future of urban infrastructure during the first day of IPS

Post by: Zayd Kamal

Dubai, UAE – 14 April 2025 – The opening day of IPS 2025 set a dynamic tone with a powerful lineup of expert panel discussions and forward-looking presentations that explored the evolution of the global real estate sector. From sustainable urban planning to emerging investment models like fractional ownership, the event provided an in-depth look into the innovative forces driving the industry.

The first session, titled “A Roadmap for the Future of the Real Estate Sector and Urban Transformation in Dubai,” featured key voices shaping the city's property landscape. Among them was Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Chairman of the IPS Organizing Committee. Al Marri emphasized Dubai’s continued momentum toward the objectives outlined in the Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which launched in October 2024.

He highlighted the sector's record-breaking performance in 2024, with real estate transactions reaching AED 761 billion—marking a 36% increase over the previous year. Al Marri also introduced several transformative DLD-led initiatives supporting the 2033 strategy, including the Smart Rental Index, the REES initiative, and a comprehensive real estate coding system designed to enhance market transparency and efficiency.

Dawood Al Shezawi, President of IPS, underscored the event’s strategic alignment with Dubai’s long-term real estate vision. “IPS acts as a catalyst, creating a transparent, innovation-led ecosystem that supports balanced development,” he noted. This year’s edition brings together more than 300 top-tier local and global developers, government bodies, and investors.

Al Shezawi emphasized that IPS remains a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing through its diverse lineup of thought-leadership events, including the Main Conference, Institutional Investors Conference, and IPS Women Conference. “As a platform, IPS plays a key role in realizing Dubai’s 2033 ambitions, offering actionable pathways for sustainable growth,” he said.

The IPS Global Leaders panel, moderated by Karen Trivino, 2025 First Vice President of the Women’s Council of Realtors Miami, tackled the theme “Global Real Estate Investments from Investors’ Perspectives.” The session offered deep insights from leading figures on the integration of sustainability and innovation in shaping next-generation infrastructure.

Samuel Thomas, IEREI Trainer and faculty member at the University of Denver’s School of Real Estate and Construction Management, called attention to the growing importance of ESG and SDG frameworks. He cited UN SDG Goal 11, focused on building sustainable cities and communities, praising Dubai as a global example of smart city development.

“Dubai isn’t just following trends—it’s defining them,” Thomas said. He applauded the Dubai Land Department’s direct engagement in development oversight, describing its governance model as pivotal to the city's real estate success.

Faisal Alnasser, CEO of AlAndalus Property Company, addressed the rising demand for lifestyle-focused real estate. “Today’s buyers seek experiences, not just spaces,” he said. Alnasser highlighted the need for data-driven design, customer insight, and emerging technologies to meet evolving preferences. “The future belongs to those who innovate fast and smart,” he noted.

Andrea Nucera, CEO and Managing Director of Reportage Group, pointed to the UAE’s streamlined regulatory environment as a magnet for international investment. “Affordability must go hand-in-hand with sustainability,” he said, revealing that Reportage now operates with zero leverage as of Q1 2025. This allows the company to offer ROI of over 8–9% to investors while maintaining cost-effective practices.

He also spotlighted property tokenization as an emerging trend, poised to transform real estate by making investments more liquid and accessible to a broader audience.

Farook Mahmood, Chairman of FIABCI-INDIA and Managing Director of Silverline Realty, emphasized profitability as the core metric for investors. “Returns dictate loyalty,” he remarked, adding that each real estate market demands its own tailored approach based on policy, taxation, and investor exit options.

Mahmood hailed Dubai’s infrastructure, construction quality, and government support as key reasons for its enduring appeal. He noted a strategic shift by investors from residential to commercial real estate in Dubai, driven by market evolution and attractive returns.

Looking forward, he stressed the need for the industry to adapt quickly to geopolitical changes, technological advances, and AI-driven innovation, which he believes will redefine the real estate landscape.

Among the standout presentations was the introduction of the Deed platform, a next-generation fractional investment platform aimed at redefining real estate accessibility and profitability—particularly for brokers and retail investors. Licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Deed enables individuals to invest in high-end Dubai real estate starting at just AED 500.

The platform addresses some of the biggest challenges facing brokers today—like high lead generation costs and low conversion rates—by providing a user-friendly, flexible model that opens new revenue opportunities. Deed’s unique structure also removes barriers such as complex mortgage processes, hefty purchase costs, and ongoing property management burdens.

By offering fractional ownership in luxury properties, Deed is expanding the investment landscape, giving more people access to Dubai’s thriving property market while empowering brokers to deliver enhanced value to clients.

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