ULI Centers and Initiatives 

By engaging, informing, and inspiring ULI members, ULI’s Centers and Initiatives advance the mission of the Urban Land Institute to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. 

The real estate industry plays an essential role in helping American cities and communities become more sustainable, healthy, resilient, and inclusive places that allow every individual, neighborhood, and business to thrive.  

Through research and publications, community technical assistance, convenings, leadership networks, and other activities, ULI’s Centers and Initiatives work closely with individual ULI members, National and District Councils, Product Councils and partners to identify and lift up best practices in real estate and land use. 

We are glad you are here! Click on the links below to learn more about the work of ULI’s Centers and Initiatives and to connect with C&I team members.  

Center for Real Estate Economics and Capital Markets 

The Center for Real Estate Economics and Capital Markets was founded in 2009 with the goal of furthering the Institute’s efforts to inform, educate, explore issues, advance policies, create knowledge, and foster communication and networking as they relate to real estate economics and capital markets. 

Terwilliger Center for Housing 

The ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing conducts research, performs analysis, provides expert advice, and develops best practice recommendations that reflect the residential land use and development priorities of ULI members in all residential product types, with special attention to workforce and affordable housing. 

The Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate 

The ULI Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate leads the real estate industry in creating places and buildings where people and the environment thrive. 

In collaboration with ULI members and partners, the center drives industry transformation, cultivates leaders and champions, and helps foster solutions for sustainable, resilient, healthy, and equitable cities and communities. The center pursues these goals via cutting-edge research, global convenings, community technical assistance, and other strategies. 

The center’s core programs are:

• Decarbonization: Accelerating progress toward net zero with operational and embodied carbon real estate solutions.
• Healthy Places: Advancing health and social equity in real estate practice, and helping cities and communities foster inclusive well-being. 
• Urban Resilience: Ensuring that buildings, cities, and communities are better prepared for the impacts of climate change. 

The center is also home to ULI Greenprint, a global alliance of real estate companies dedicated to improving the environmental performance of buildings and enhancing real estate value. 

Curtis Infrastructure Initiative 

The ULI Curtis Infrastructure Initiative aims to build a movement to promote infrastructure solutions that are equitable and resilient and that enhance long-term community value.  A thoughtful approach to infrastructure planning and implementation addresses the pressing needs of today and improves diverse communities for the long term. 

Creative Placemaking Initiative  

The ULI Creative Placemaking Initiative, which encompasses the Art in Place program, works to foster stronger connections between artists and real estate, demonstrating how culture and creativity can advance social trust, community connection, and real estate development success. Working closely with District and National Councils across the country and around the globe, this effort is innovating on models and approaches, and distilling lessons learned for wider sharing and adoption.