Last week, I attended the ULI Fall Meeting in Los Angeles as a participant in the ULI Pathways to Inclusion Cohort from New England. As part of the program, I had the opportunity to take a trip to LA and attend the conference. This is a brief narrative of my experience and takeaways.
The journey began with an unexpected yet exciting bike tour through LA’s Art District, showcasing the transformative power of adaptive reuse projects. From the sustainable innovation hub of LACI to the artful reincarnation of HAUSER & WIRTH Gallery, each stop revealed the city’s commitment to repurposing spaces and breathing new life into its urban fabric. We biked the length of the brand-new iconic 6th Street Bridge and took photos of downtown LA.
Immersing myself in sessions that introduced innovative tools for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, I gained valuable insights into generative design, 3D printed panels, and platforms measuring embodied carbon. Concurrently, sessions on real estate trends and economic forecasts provided a new perspective on understanding the forces affecting real estate and developments. I learned about new innovations, strategies, and policies to combat current crises like housing affordability and climate change, which require the efforts of all disciplines to overcome.
A personal tour of Row DTLA served as a testament to the success of adaptive reuse. Former railroad stations transformed into a vibrant office space and commercial hub, incorporating a diverse array of brands and culinary delights. Walking along storefront shops, I noticed the impact of thoughtful landscape design further enhancing the pedestrian-friendly nature of the campus.
The ULI Fall Meeting was an unforgettable experience for me because it provided a canvas where urban exploration, design innovation, economic foresight, and inclusive networking seamlessly converged. I had the opportunity to get to know, befriend, and network with people from various backgrounds, deepening my understanding of urban economics and development.
Topics: ULI