Avison Young, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), is spearheading significant advancements in the realm of urban regeneration. In December 2023, the Social Value in Urban Regeneration Taskforce was established as a collaborative effort between the WEF and Avison Young.
The primary objective of this taskforce is to develop a set of principles aimed at stakeholders – both in public and private sectors - involved in urban regeneration projects. These tools are designed to tackle systemic issues and enhance the social value derived from such projects, promoting a more inclusive and beneficial approach to urban development.
The taskforce comprises representatives from 26 public and private sector organizations spanning multiple continents. Notable members include cities such as Phoenix (Arizona), Boston (Massachusetts), and Bristol (England), developers such as Related Argent and Bedrock, and international entities such as UN Habitat. This diverse representation ensures a wide range of perspectives and expertise, enriching the taskforce’s output. The anticipated toolkit, scheduled for publication in 2024, promises to be a pivotal resource for stakeholders aiming to integrate social value considerations into their urban regeneration projects.
Following the publication of the toolkit, the next crucial step for the taskforce is to promote toolkit usage and foster a community committed to the social value agenda. By creating a network of engaged stakeholders, the Forum and Avison Young together aim to ensure the toolkit’s widespread adoption and practical application, ultimately leading to greater uptake of best practices within urban regeneration projects.
Led by Dr. Eime Tobari, Avison Young is driving the social impact agenda in real estate and contributing to knowledge generation and dissemination on how urban development can be a means to enhance community well-being and address broader societal challenges.
In addition to Avison Young’s work with the Social Value in Urban Regeneration Taskforce, Dr Eime Tobari is also actively involved in the Davos Baukultur Alliance, a global initiative under the umbrella of the Forum.
This alliance is dedicated to promoting the creation of high-quality built environments based on eight foundational principles that emphasize cultural and social values.
Since its inception in May 2023, Avison Young has been a steering committee member, playing a crucial role in shaping the alliance’s direction and strategies.
Avison Young’s Avon Lake project is prominently featured as a best practice example within the Davos Baukultur Alliance, showcasing the firm’s commitment to excellence in urban development. Our participation extends to two focus groups within the alliance: Affordability & Social Value and Rebuilding Ukraine.
The kick-off event in Venice in May 2023 recognised an urgent need for multilevel, cross-border, cross- disciplinary collaborations to address pressing global challenges and reaffirmed the Alliance members’ commitments for such collaborations. The Davos Baukultur Alliance’s initial efforts for the reconstruction of Ukraine across all four focus groups are a testament to the alliance’s commitment to applying its principles in real-world scenarios.
