The global economic recovery took the alluring island of Bali to host an esteemed international property event. High End tracked down the historical moment that invites the world to gear up for creating a more sustainable real estate industry.
The International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) held its annual congress at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua, Bali from May 24 to 28, 2010. Various issues related to the world’s property industry were brought to the table during the congress that was attended by over one thousand participants and delegates from more than forty countries across the globe.
The participants and delegates are from various professional backgrounds such as property developer, broker, government high rank official, consultant and lawyer.
Having the theme “Save The World: Green Shoots for Sustainable Real Estate”, the 61st FIABCI World Congress was opened by Indonesian Vice President Boediono and presenting an array of speakers who are prominent figures from various countries.
The congress focused on four primary topics related to the theme; innovation, funding, eco-property and green tourism. “We are addressing these issues as a response of main concerns in the development concept of sustainable property industry. And I am glad to see countries in the world get together working hand-in-hand to achieve a common goal,” Teguh Satria, President of FIABCI Indonesia, said.
In line with Teguh’s statement, Pingki Elka Pangestu, chairman of organizing committee, expressed his optimism that the congress would create solutions for the future of real estate industry worldwide. “Looking at the number of enthusiast participants from various countries, we really hope that the congress will implant the seeds to grow better sustainability in not only eco-property, but no less important, how the sustainability leads to the economic growth.”
Lisa Kurass, FIABCI world president, expressed her delight that the 61st FIABCI World Congress went well, as it addressed some important issues crucially needed to speed up the recovery in property sectors worldwide.
She admitted that the economic downturn had led to a sluggish growth in real estate industries worldwide. However, today’s global recovery has created a myriad of opportunities for property players. “Property is in fact a lucrative investment, which in turn is potential to build a better economy in any particular country in the world,” she remarked.
Ciputra, Indonesian property tycoon and former FIABCI world president, expressed his gratitude that Indonesia could host such an honored international event. The Bali Congress is the second time Indonesia hosts the annual FIABCI congress. The first time was in 1983 when Ciputra held the post as FIABCI world president.
He furthermore said that there were big opportunities for the world of real estate to tackle the current issue of global warming. “The theme of the congress can be interpreted as a manifestation of achieving balance between continuous development and environmental protection.”
In achieving a more sustainable real estate industry, particularly in realizing the eco-property, Ciputra emphasized the importance of economy. “We cannot neglect the role of economy played in the industry. Eco-property and economic sustainability are interrelated with each other.”
Truly, the congress was considered a big success. The participants, many of whom are high profile and prominent figures, expressed their excitement on what is hot in the property world.
One of the congress participants, Fransiska Hendri, said she was glad to have attended the congress, and that Bali was the choice venue for such a prestigious event. “Bali really fits the theme of the congress, as it is the home of many projects applying green property concept. With very highly credible panel of speakers from their respective fields, the programs at the congress are very interesting. However, it would be much more beneficial if each speaker were given more time to present their topics of interest,” said Fransiska Hendri, managing partner of Svarga Property in association with Coldwell Banker.
The congress presented an array of prominent speakers from across the world addressing various issues that were narrowed down to four main topics; innovation, funding, eco-property and green tourism.
Tom Wright, Brian White, John Rabie and Budiarsa Sastrawinata shared their experience and expertise in the world of property in a forum titled “Innovations in Real Estate, Surviving and Balancing New Realities”.
Tom is the project design director of Atkins, a London-based architecture and construction firm. He is a British design and architect consultant known for his iconic project of Burj Al Arab, a luxurious hotel in Dubai.
Brian is joint chairman of Ray White Real Estate, one of the world’s property giants from Australia. John is the owner of Rabie Property Group, one of the leading property companies in South Africa. The group has successfully built Century City and Westlake Project in Constatia Valley, South Africa. Budiarsa is managing director of Ciputra Group and the president of International Urban Development Association (INTA).
Arilida Ariff, James T. Riady, James Park and Ian Mackie are in the congress to deliver their presentations on funding in a forum highlighting “Surviving Funding, Real Value-added Creation”.
Arlida is the president and CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad. The company has signed landmark agreements to develop projects such as Legoland Malaysia and Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia.
James T. Riady, CEO of Lippo Group Companies, is taking the lead in running the giant involving in various lines of business like financial service, banking, insurance, securities, media, education and property.
James Park is managing director and joint head of the Real Estate, Lodging and Leisure Group Asia for UBS Investment Bank. He is based in Singapore working with public and private real estate, hospitality, gaming companies and institutional investors across Asia.
No less interestingly, the congress presented eminent speakers who expressed their concern on the eco-property and green tourism.
While Charles Landry, Rana Yusuf Nasir, Lee Chuan Seng, Hiramsyah S Thaib and Ken Yeang presented their speech with the theme “The Eco-Property, Continuous Real Estate”, David Makes, Murlidhar Rao and I Made Mangku Pastika shared about the importance of green property through a forum with the theme “Maintaining Growth, Managing Momentum and Balance Development.”
Charles is one of the outstanding architects from London, and is reputed for his talent in designing cities for creative industries in the world. He is also known as a writer who has productively released an array of books, such as “The Art of City Making” and “Creative City.”
Rana is core founder of Green Building Council Indonesia. The council has launched guidelines for environmentally friendly buildings aiming to increase public awareness of the importance of sustainability. Lee Chuan Seng is chairman of Beca Asia, a leading engineering consultancy based in Singapore. Hiramsyah is president director and CEO of PT Bakrieland Development, Tbk. Ken is chairman of Liewelys Davies Yeang. With more than three decades of property under his belt, Ken has completed more than one hundred shining projects, dozens of which are skyscrapers. David is founder and owner of Menjangan Jungle and Beach Resort, Bali. In the forum, he delivered his presentation about the benefits of living in one biosphere. Murlidhar is vice president of operations Alila Hotels and Resorts. Long involved in hospitality industry, he has contributed his expertise toward the realization of green property. Governor of Bali, I Made Mangku Pastika, delivered his remarkable speech elaborating on “Tri Hita Karana”, a concept on harmonious life that explains the role and relations between people and the Almighty, among the people themselves and between the people and their environment. The concept has long been applied in Bali’s community at large.
Prix d’Excellence Awards 2010
The bestowal of the world’s best property projects was an important part of the 61st FIABCI World Congress. A total of 54 works of properties from various countries competed for the best property awards in the annual conferment arena known as FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Awards 2010.
The annual accolade of FIABCI Prix d’Excellence announced 12 winners and 12 runner ups from 12 categories at the gala dinner at Westin Hotel Nusa Dua, Bali on May 27.
During a press conference, which was held after the gala dinner, President of FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Awards 2010 Yeow Thit Sang said that the purpose of the award giving was to encourage property projects to keep continuing their innovation while maintaining high standard of property.
“Indeed, the quality of the projects submitted prior to the competition is of very high standard,” Yeow remarked. “Being a winner of Prix d’Excellence was truly exultant. The winners can proudly show that their projects are among the world’s best ones.”
Johannes Tulung, head of compartment of environment of the Indonesia Real Estate Association (Real Estate Indonesia) said that the award assessment was done through a transparent process where each member of the judges had to evaluate the project independently. “It means that we don’t know who the other judges are. I had to evaluate projects without knowing who the other judges involved in the assessment.”
The winning nominees were property projects from 11 countries. Asia was recorded as a region contributing the most nominees, up to 40 projects from eight countries, followed by Europe that included 11 projects from two countries, and the United States with its two projects.
The independent judges were real estate industry professionals from 18 countries. Among them are the president of FIABCI at a number of areas, former FIABCI world president and reputable property professionals such as architects, surveyors, appraiser and developers.
Regatta and The Jakarta Garden City are two Indonesian projects obtained the victory this year. Regatta was declared the winner in the category of Bali Congress. Designed by eminent design and architect consultant Tom Wright of Atkins, the projects is developed by Badan Kerjasama Mutiara Buana, a joint venture between PT Intiland and PT Global Eka Buana. Regatta is indeed the only property project from Indonesia ranked first in any respective category.
Hendro S. Gondokusumo, founder and vice president commissioner of PT Intiland Development expressed his gratitude as he was proud of Regatta winning the Prix d’Excellence Award 2010. “We are pleased to receive an award of FIABCI Prix d’Excellence. The award is not only a pride for us, but more important, the Indonesian property industry.”
The Jakarta Garden City, which is developed by PT Mitra Sindo Sukses, received an award as runner up in Low Rise Residential category.
By Aulia R Sungkar. This special report is published in High End Magazine, July 2010 edition.
Photos by Will Wiriawan