Meet some of the leaders who work hard behind the scenes to develop ULI’s programs and initiatives. We’ve asked these leaders to answer questions about their areas of expertise and what’s top of mind for their initiatives.

Get to know Lindsay Brugger, Vice President of the Urban Resilience program at ULI’s Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate. The Urban Resilience program is focused on how buildings, cities and communities can be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and other environmental vulnerabilities and works with ULI members to provide technical assistance, advance knowledge through research, and catalyze the adoption of transformative practices for real estate and land use policy.

1. In your own words, can you describe the role of ULI’s Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate?

   The Lewis Center is ULI members’ one stop shop for all things sustainability. From time-tested design strategies and innovative polices, to inspiring experiences and cross sector engagement, the Lewis Center connects ULI members to best practices and global experts that inspire and enable leadership in creating a resilient, sustainable, and healthy built environment. Established in 2022 after a generous gift from Randall Lewis, the Lewis Center builds on over a decade of work in urban resilience, decarbonization, and healthy places that advances the real estate industry, enhances cities and communities, and empowers ULI members.

   Learn more about the Lewis Center here and explore the Center’s impact in the Lewis Center’s Annual Impact Report.

2. What’s an example of a successful initiative led by your team that has positively impacted a community? And what factors contributed to the success? 

   As part of ULI’s Resilient Land Use Cohort, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) asked ULI New York and ULI’s Urban Resilience program to convene a technical assistance workshop to focus on innovative cloudburst infrastructure that can protect against extreme rainfall events while providing opportunities for passive and active recreation during everyday conditions. ULI gathered experts in landscape architecture and engineering to create a handbook of strategies that will reduce the impact of extreme rain, build nature-positive outcomes like increased biodiversity, and improve the wellbeing of NYCHA residents. NYCHA’s subsequent Request for Proposals to pilot cloudburst infrastructure at five NYCHA developments directed proposals to review ULI’s handbook for inspiration during the design process. As NYCHA’s portfolio houses over 400,000 residents, ULI’s work to inform this infrastructure has the potential to create positive impact for low- and moderate-income households roughly equal in number to the populations of Miami, Oakland, or Minneapolis.

3. At last year’s Resilience Summit in New York, the event was hosted by NYU’s Urban Lab and featured an exhibit curated by NYU students showcasing New York-based resilience case studies, modeled on ULI’s signature project profiles that demonstrate how resilience creates value. What were some of the takeaways?

   Resilience is often looked to as a risk reduction strategy – and resilience strategies can absolutely avoid losses from extreme weather events like hurricanes and wildfires. But resilience can also be an opportunity to add value. From higher rental premiums to energy and water savings, to protection measures that double as amenity spaces, resilience can enhance user experience, safeguard business continuity, and improve net operating income.

4. Looking ahead, what are some of the important themes you plan to discuss in May 2025 at the next Resilience Summit in Denver?

   Insurance markets and how they will be impacted by major climate events, such as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles or Hurricanes Milton and Helene in the southeast, is a topic of major concern across the real estate value chain as premiums rise and coverage becomes more difficult to secure. At the 2025 Resilience Summit we will examine the intersection of CRE and property insurance, how risk reduction measures can contribute to savings, and what disaster recovery might look like for affected communities. Additionally, we’ll be covering the changing landscape of resilience and adaptation finance, best practices in portfolio and asset risk management, and inspiring case studies from across North America. A detailed list of 2025 Resilience Summit sessions can be found here.

5. What are the most effective strategies for ULI’s corporate partners to engage with the Resilience team?

   ULI’s members and partners are the heart of the ULI’s resilience program. There are many ways to engage:

   • Demonstrate your commitment to resilience in the built environment by aligning your brand with ULI’s annual Resilience Summit
   • Share your expertise and inspire the ULI audience during a webinar or event
   • Move the industry forward by collaborating on a report or case study

We’re always open to new ideas that help ULI’s members better prepare for the impacts of climate change and create strong, thriving communities. I hope to hear from and collaborate with many of ULI’s corporate partners in the months and years ahead!