The key trends shaping the market:
Sustainability and climate resilience
Sustainability was a central theme at MIPIM 2025, with a strong focus on climate resilience and the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into investment strategies. The ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate® Global Outlook 2025 report underscored the growing importance of sustainability, highlighting that climate adaptation and resilience are now inextricably linked to long-term value creation.
City competitiveness
Discussions around city competitiveness were prominent, with a focus on how global cities are responding to challenges such as climate change, governance, infrastructure, and liveability. Cities like London and Madrid were highlighted for their strengths and areas needing improvement, particularly in governance and urban management.
Investment in infrastructure
The need for large-scale investment in infrastructure was emphasized, particularly in the context of strengthening Europe's competitiveness and ensuring long-term stability. This was echoed in Dr. Mario Draghi's keynote address, which called for investment in infrastructure, innovation, and economic reform.
Technological advancements
The intersection of real estate with technology was another key trend, with discussions on the role of data centres, energy infrastructure, and digitalisation in shaping the future of the industry. The importance of innovation and moving away from traditional models like the billable hour was also highlighted. These are topics that DWF are also exploring in our Brave New Law GC series this year.
Economic outlook
Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, there was a sense of growing optimism. The need for policy stability and regulatory clarity to boost investor confidence was a recurring theme.
Melanie Williams, Global Head of Real Estate commented, "MIPIM provides an unparalleled opportunity for DWF to engage with existing and potential clients. We carefully curated a schedule of panels, roundtables, meetings and networking events so that we can understand our client needs and challenges. This helps us to continually improve and innovate to find better solutions for our clients. This includes talking to clients about how we are harnessing legal tech in real estate transactions to save them time and money."
DWF's Real Estate Group advises clients at every stage of the portfolio, project or property lifecycle. To find out more about our capability, please contact Melanie Williams, Global Group Head of Real Estate, or Kirsty Siviter, Senior Marketing & BD Manager.
References
The ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate® Global Outlook 2025 report
https://europe.uli.org/research/emerging-trends/
