New market forces disrupting global real estate development industry

Market forces including trade policy, labor shortages, and complex approval processes are among the top concerns of real estate development executives according to a report by Altus Group.

The Altus Group Real Estate Development Trends Report is based on a survey of real estate leaders around the world. The report says that 68% of respondents named cost escalation as the biggest business challenge they are facing over the next five years.

Other findings include:

· 65% are facing challenges with labor shortages, which are exacerbated by government policy and booming demand

· 60% are concerned about the development approval process which is often complex and protracted

· 34% view cross-border trade policy as having a negative impact on the industry as uncertainty continues regarding international tariffs and trade agreements

“It’s clear from the report that the global development sector is facing an increasingly complex set of challenges and rapid change, from escalating construction costs to a sea-change in the development financing environment,” said Bob Courteau, Chief Executive Officer, Altus Group. “However, development leaders clearly see significant opportunities to manage risk and take advantage of changing conditions through a number of future-ready strategies including investments in technology and performance management, along with consideration of new ways of managing and financing projects.”