Sustainable Real Estate Conference 2026
<p data-start="557" data-end="908"><span class="p-body">Real estate remains at the center of the world’s climate, equity, and resilience challenges. <strong><em data-start="650" data-end="721">Beyond the Blueprint: Climate, Community, and Sustainable Real Estate</em></strong>
is NYU’s flagship sustainability conference, bringing together industry
leaders, policymakers, academics, and students to explore how the built
environment can drive measurable change.</span></p>
<p data-start="557" data-end="908"><span class="p-body">Building on the success of last
year’s “Leading the Change,” the 2026 conference goes deeper into the
research, data, and innovation shaping the next decade. With panels
spanning energy and water systems, affordable housing, digital
infrastructure, and ethical governance, the program highlights both
cutting-edge solutions and student-led ideas for a more sustainable
future.</span></p>
<p data-start="557" data-end="908"><span class="p-body">Through keynote sessions,
cross-university collaboration, and a showcase of student research and
innovation, attendees will gain practical insights, forge new
partnerships, and help chart the next frontier of climate action in real
estate.</span></p>
<p data-start="557" data-end="908"><span class="p-body">Join us in reimagining how climate, community, and capital come together to build a more resilient world.</span></p>
Conference Schedule – Monday, 2nd of February, 2026
<p><span class="p-body"><span class="p-body-large">09:00 – 09:30 am</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Registration & Networking<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Tisch dancers perform as guests arrive <br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">09:30 – 09:35 am</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session:</b> Student MC Welcome<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Student sets tone & housekeeping<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">09:35 – 09:45 am</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Opening Keynote – Professor Suhail Y Tayeb<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Intellectual framing, academic anchor<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">09:45 – 10:35 am</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Plenary Panel 1: Climate, Energy, and Real Estate Futures<br>
<b>Notes:</b> 4–5 panelists total: mix of Schack/Tandon faculty + 2 industry (developer/energy/data center). Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">10:35 – 10:40 am</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Transition / Setup / Break <br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">10:40 – 11:30 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Plenary Panel 2: Equity, Social Responsibility, and Student Outcomes<br>
<b>Notes:</b> 4–5 panelists: Schack or Wagner faculty + Stern policy rep + 2 industry/social impact. Slot for Career Intelligence mention. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">11:30 – 11:35 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Rosenthal<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Session: Transition / Setup / Break <br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">11:35 – 12:25 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Plenary Panel 3: Transparency, Governance, and Ethical Leadership<br>
<b>Notes: </b>4–5 panelists: Schack faculty + Stern/Tandon rep + 2 ESG/finance leaders. Slot for NOVA + AI flipped classroom. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">12:25 – 12:35 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Remarks – Dean Angie<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Institutional welcome, hands off to lunch<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">12:35 – 01:35 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> E&L<br>
<b>Session: </b>Lunch & Performances<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Jazz ensemble + Tisch dancers on stage<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">01:35 – 01:40 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Reset Remarks – Dean Marc Norman<br>
<b>Notes: </b>Short remarks before breakouts<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">01:40 – 02:30 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session: </b>Breakout A1: Water, Land Use, and Resilience<br>
<b>Notes: </b>4 panelists: Schack faculty, city agency rep, industry engineer, NGO voice. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">01:40 – 02:30 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> E&L<br>
<b>Session:</b> Breakout A2: Finance, Innovation, and Social Impact<br>
<b>Notes: </b>4–5 panelists: Stern/Schack faculty + 2 finance execs + 1 foundation/impact investor. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">02:30 – 02:35 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Both<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Session: Transition / Setup / Break <br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">02:35 – 03:25 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session:</b> Breakout B1: Technology, Data, and PropTech<br>
<b>Notes: </b>4–5 panelists: Tandon/Schack faculty + 2 PropTech founders + 1 data center/AI expert. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">02:35 – 03:25 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>E&L<br>
<b>Session:</b> Breakout B2: Housing, Health, and Human Capital<br>
<b>Notes: </b>4–5 panelists: Schack/Steinhardt/Langone faculty + housing developer + WELL/health industry rep. Student moderator<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">03:25 – 03:30 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Both<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Session: Transition / Setup / Break <br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">03:30 – 4:20 pm</span><br>
<b>Room:</b> Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session:</b> Plenary Wrap-Up: The Future of Sustainable Development at NYU and Beyond<br>
<b>Notes:</b> 5–6 panelists: reps from Wagner, Stern, Tandon, Steinhardt, Schack + 1–2 outside universities (Cornell, Lehigh). Student moderator<br>
<span class="p-body-large"><br>
04:20 – 04:50 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Rosenthal<br>
<b>Session:</b> Closing Keynote<br>
<b>Notes: </b>High-profile closer (policy/industry leader)<br>
<br>
<span class="p-body-large">04:50 – 5:30 pm</span><br>
<b>Room: </b>Grand Hall<br>
<b>Session:</b> Networking Reception + Student Poster Gallery<br>
<b>Notes:</b> Apex Challenge projects, Career Intelligence demo, industry tables alongside student posters. Jazz ensemble background.</span></p>
Participating Schools



Who Should Attend?
<ul class="p-list">
<li><span class="p-body"><strong data-start="92" data-end="104">Students</strong> looking to connect classroom learning with real-world careers in sustainable real estate.</span></li>
<li data-start="92" data-end="196"><span class="p-body"><strong data-start="199" data-end="226">Faculty and researchers</strong> from NYU and partner universities sharing work and building collaborations.</span></li>
<li data-start="92" data-end="196"><span class="p-body"><strong data-start="307" data-end="333">Industry professionals</strong> including developers, investors, policymakers, and sustainability leaders.</span></li>
<li data-start="92" data-end="196"><span class="p-body"><strong data-start="413" data-end="443">PropTech and AI innovators</strong> exploring the future of data, transparency, and climate solutions.</span></li>
<li data-start="92" data-end="196"><span class="p-body"><strong data-start="515" data-end="538">Alumni and sponsors</strong> seeking to engage with students, recruit talent, and support NYU’s sustainability mission.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="p-body"> </span></p>
What You’ll Gain
<ul class='p-list'>
<li><span class="p-body"><b>Fresh insights</b> from leading academics, policymakers, and industry innovators.</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body"><b>Practical strategies</b> for addressing climate, equity, governance, and technology in real estate.</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body"><b>Networking opportunities</b> with students, faculty, alumni, and top executives.</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body"><b>Career pathways</b> through exposure to employers, mentors, and cutting-edge tools.</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body"><b>Access to research</b> including dashboards, case studies, and student-led projects shaping the future of the built environment.</span></li>
</ul>
Event Details
Date / Time
Monday, February 2, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location
NYU Kimmel Center 60 Washington Square South New York, NY
Audience
Public
Cost
TBD
Contact
schack.conference@nyu.edu
REGISTER