Successful real estate development includes successful placemaking. We hear a lot about it these days, but what does placemaking really mean? What are the most effective ways to capitalize on a community’s existing assets and future potential in order to create a space built around the health and happiness of those who utilize it? These are the questions that the 27^th Annual UM/ULI Real Estate Forum--a statewide real estate networking and educational event--seeks to answer through a variety of sessions, panels and workshops, all based on a common theme; Placemaking for Growth. This two-day event, hosted by the University of Michigan and the Urban Land Institute, takes place Nov. 20-21, 2013, at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. The Forum will feature:

• Michigan Marketplace;

• Local Demographic Trends Driving Development presented by Laurie Volk of Zimmerman/Volk Associates;

• A panel on Why Pedestrian-Oriented Development isn’t Working;

• An MSU Built Environment Study: What the Market Wants presented by Mary Beth Graebert of the MSU Land Policy Institute;

• Concurrent Sessions;

• Opening Night Networking Reception at Olds RE Transportation Museum;

• Roundtable Sessions;

• The Lansing Story presented by Bob Johnson of the City of Lansing, Van Martin of CBRE|Martin and Bob Trezise of Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP);

• Alternative Capital for Small to Medium Projects presented by Dan Miller of Fundrise;

• ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2014 Report; and

• Michigan Emerging Trends in Real Estate.

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, from 1:30pm-2:15pm, Mary Beth Graebert, the MSU Land Policy Institute's associate director for programs and operations, will speak about “What the Market Wants,” as she presents preliminary findings from a recent study on the built environment. Graebert will talk about the value and perceptions of placemaking, as evidenced by two surveys conducted by LPI (one national-based, the other Midwest-focused) and a Midwest property price assessment.

To register and learn more, visit 2013 UM/ULI Real Estate Forum.