What UKREiiF taught me about the future of property – a NextGen perspective

One month on from attending UKREiiF as a Young Next Generation delegate, Vail Williams planner Sophia Piatto reflects on the themes that she believes will define the future of the property industry – from AI and innovation to placemaking, inclusion and the importance of human connection.

Attending UKREiiF as a Young Next Generation delegate on behalf of Vail Williams, was an opportunity I was incredibly grateful to receive after winning an internal competition for a sponsored place at the event.

As someone with a growing career in planning and property, I went to Leeds expecting to learn about the industry’s biggest projects, emerging trends and future challenges. What I came away with was something broader.

A clearer understanding that the future of our sector will be shaped not by any single trend, but by how successfully we balance technology, placemaking, innovation, inclusion and human relationships.

Of course, there was an extremely broad number of topics covered at UKREiiF,  but what I found was a common thread running through them all.

The property industry is evolving rapidly, but the need for professional judgement, meaningful engagement and long-term thinking remains as important as ever.

AI won’t replace advisers but it will reshape the profession

One of the most thought-provoking discussions centred on the growing role of artificial intelligence in planning.

AI has enormous potential to improve efficiency in the planning system. It can help streamline administrative and process-driven tasks, from policy searches and validation checks to research and drafting. And in an industry facing increasing workloads, resource constraints and pressure to accelerate delivery, those efficiencies matter.

But what I learned at UKREiiF, is that conversation was equally clear about AI’s limitations. It cannot understand local context in the same way people can. It can reinforce existing biases, miss nuance and lacks the professional judgement needed to weigh competing considerations.

For me, one of the key lessons was that the value of advisers is unlikely to diminish. Instead, our value will increasingly come from our ability to use technology intelligently while continuing to provide critical thinking, strategic advice and informed judgement.

The future isn’t about replacing planners with AI, but rather enabling process efficiency to allow planners to spend less time on administration and more time on the complex challenges that genuinely require human expertise.

Delivering places, not just housing numbers

Another strong theme throughout UKREiiF was the growing focus on social value and placemaking.

There was concern from many speakers that the drive to meet housing targets can sometimes result in developments that function primarily as places to sleep rather than places to live. The phrase “dormitory settlements” was used more than once, highlighting the importance of creating communities with identity, landscape, social infrastructure and long-term resilience.

What stood out to me was the increasing emphasis on inclusive design. Discussions moved beyond traditional planning considerations and explored how places can better serve women, girls, neurodivergent individuals and other groups whose needs have not always been fully considered.

For the next generation entering the profession, this feels particularly important. I believe that success should not be measured by the number of homes delivered, but by whether those homes form part of sustainable, adaptable, thriving and connected communities.

The industry’s challenge is to demonstrate that good placemaking is not a luxury. It is fundamental to creating places and communities that remain healthy and connected for generations to come.

Innovation demands confidence and a willingness to adapt

The Oxford-Cambridge Arc featured heavily in discussions around innovation, technology and economic growth.

The conversations reinforced the importance of creating specialist, flexible environments capable of supporting entire innovation ecosystems, from research and development through to manufacturing and commercialisation.

What interested me most was the acknowledgement that there is risk on both sides of the equation. There is risk in pursuing innovation, but there is also significant risk in standing still.

As emerging sectors such as life sciences, climate technology and digital industries continue to grow, property professionals must understand the increasingly specialised requirements of occupiers. Traditional development models may not always provide the flexibility these sectors need.

For firms like Vail Williams, and particularly for our growing presence in Oxford, understanding these market dynamics will be critical. Innovation is a core driver of demand, investment and economic growth here.

Inclusion is improving in the property sector but progress remains uneven

UKREiiF also provided an opportunity to reflect on the industry’s progress around diversity and inclusion – particularly the number of women in the property profession.

There is undoubtedly evidence of positive change, particularly regarding female representation and visibility across the sector. However, many discussions recognised that progress remains uneven and that wider inclusion across underrepresented groups still requires significant attention.

One observation that resonated with me was the importance of celebrating achievement without unintentionally diminishing it. Recognition should be based on merit, capability and leadership, rather than labels that can sometimes feel patronising or reductive.

For companies seeking to attract the next generation of property professional, it is important to recognise that diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords which come with ESG commitments. They are essential to attracting talent, encouraging different perspectives and ensuring the industry reflects the communities it serves.

The conversations I had and talks I attended suggested that while progress is being made, there is still a collective responsibility to ensure opportunities are accessible to people from a broader range of backgrounds and experiences.

Stepping outside your comfort zone matters

Perhaps my most personal takeaway came from networking sessions and discussions focused on young professionals entering the industry.

I noticed a natural tendency for NextGen attendees to gravitate towards each other. It’s understandable since speaking to peers often feels more comfortable. But it can also limit opportunities to learn from people with different experiences and perspectives.

There were mixed views about how accessible senior professionals can be, but I left feeling that responsibility exists on both sides.

Yes, senior leaders play an important role in creating open and welcoming environments, but younger professionals also need the confidence to initiate conversations and engage beyond their immediate peer groups.

Looking ahead

If I had to summarise my UKREiiF experience in a single observation, it would be that the future of property is becoming more complex, but with that, there will also be huge opportunity.

Technology is accelerating. Expectations around social value are increasing, particularly in the public sector. Innovation and AI is creating new demands. Inclusion remains a priority in the property sector. And effective collaboration is more important than ever.

And despite these changes, the industry’s greatest strengths remain fundamentally human. Judgement, creativity, empathy, communication and relationship-building continue to underpin successful projects and successful careers in the property sector.

And so, for those of us entering or growing in the profession like me, I think that’s an encouraging message – the future will undoubtedly look different, but the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the places, communities and businesses we help shape, remains as exciting as ever.