PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) 2023, the ninth edition of Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company’s thought leadership platform, recently concluded its highly anticipated event. With a focus on the theme “Powering Communities,” the summit brought together over 400 global delegates for a hybrid conference, delving into the future of communities, business, leisure, and innovation.

The theme “Powering Communities” aligns with PropertyGuru Group’s vision of empowering individuals in their property journeys to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow’s cities. Hari V. Krishnan, CEO & Managing Director of PropertyGuru Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to guiding stakeholders at every step, from homebuyers finding their dream homes to enterprise clients making strategic investments.

The first segment of ARES 2023, titled “Live: Future of Communities,” featured insightful keynote addresses and discussions. Sumana Rajarethnam, Director, South-East Asia, Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, provided a perspective on new economic drivers and the outlook for Asia in 2024. Dr. Edlam Abera Yemeru from UN-Habitat discussed adoptive communities and the creation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Cities, while David Gissen explored the concept of the one-storey city.

The second segment, “Work: Future of Business,” covered topics like the creative evolution of workspaces and hybrid work arrangements. A tech panel led by Manav Kamboj, CTO and Managing Director, Fintech at PropertyGuru Group, discussed the use of A.I. in design, digital twins, and metaverse blockchain technologies.

The morning sessions concluded with a presentation from PropertyGuru For Business, showcasing investments in data science to develop products and solutions for enterprise customers. The session highlighted the company’s commitment to unlocking value for businesses and enhancing urbanism and liveability through data intelligence.

The afternoon sessions, titled “Thrive: Future of Leisure,” featured discussions on building affordability in megacities, destination dining, the rise of pet culture, and demographic changes reshaping property markets. The segment demonstrated a holistic approach to thriving in urban environments, encompassing various aspects of leisure and lifestyle.

ARES 2023 maintained its commitment to diversity, with half of the expert lineup comprising women and/or members of the LGBTQ+ community. The inclusive event featured an Expert Talk on inclusive language in real estate for minorities and people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity in the industry.

The final segment, “Thrive: The Future of Innovation,” included a keynote from India’s Vinu Daniel, Founder of Wallmakers, who received the PropertyGuru Visionary Award for sustainable designs using mud and debris. The Leaders Panel discussed multi-sector real estate, industry resilience, and challenges in sustainable development, while a talk on the future of digital innovation concluded the summit.

PropertyGuru Week, featuring ARES 2023, Real Estate Leaders’ Roundtable, and the Asia Property Awards Grand Final, celebrated industry excellence and innovation. The week emphasized the company’s dedication to fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development in the real estate sector.

The ARES VIP Cocktail Party honored industry leaders, recognizing their contributions to the spirit of “live, work, thrive.” The Power Women of 2023 included Andrea Savage, Chelsea Perino, Coco Liu, Esther An, Hang Dang, and Joanne Kua.