The 24th Asian Real Estate Society International Conference will take place in Shenzhen, China during July 7-10, 2019. It is co-organized by Asian Real Estate Society, China Future City Lab and Center for Real Estate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Hang Lung Center for Real Estate at Tsinghua University. The theme for this year’s conference is “the Future of Cities, the Future of Real Estate.”

Shenzhen, once a small town with a population of 30,000 was designated as the first Special Economic Zone in China in 1979. The city became one of the fastest-growing cities in the world in the 1990s and the 2000s. Once started as a manufacturing hub, Shenzhen has upgraded its industry to become a city of innovation in recent years. The city is a leading global technology hub, dubbed the next Silicon Valley. It is home to several leading hi-tech companies in China, such as Tencent, Huawei, BYD, and BGI. Moreover, its robust supply chain and welcoming business environment attract global talents. In recent years, the hi-tech industry has become the number one pillar industry in Shenzhen. The vibrancy and diversity of Shenzhen’s economy have been drawing a mix of young tech professionals, business people, investors and migrant workers to its golden gates. The city is also just 14 minutes’ away from Hongkong by the high-speed-rail. We will provide optional tours to Shenzhen, Hongkong and also some of the hi-tech companies mentioned above.

For the 24th time, this year’s conference will, as usual, provide a high-quality platform for academics, practitioners and policymakers in the areas of real estate market, housing, urban planning, urban economics, development and investment, and public policy. In addition to paper sessions covering current theoretical and applied research, the conference will feature panel discussion sessions by both academics and practitioners. There will also be special sessions for urban entrepreneurs, women and young scholars. Academics and practitioners are invited to submit and present papers in this stimulating environment.

Please come to feel the dynamics of the young and energetic city, enjoy the summer at the seaside, while simultaneously sharing academic and research ideas at the conference. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Shenzhen!