Housing in Asia: How Does It Feel to Live Here?

Wed 28 May 12:00 PM — 12:45 PM (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi Regent Hong Kong, Regent Ballroom, level 2

Type General Session Open to All Attendees

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” – Maya Angelou

A home is more than just a physical space; it’s an emotion, a state of mind, and a place in time. For those of us involved in providing homes for families, it’s easy to overlook the deeper question: How does it feel to live here?

As Asia’s cities drive global growth, they must evolve to meet shifting needs. Climate change, demographic shifts, and social isolation are reshaping how and where people live, yet housing remains rigid, often unaffordable, and disconnected from daily life.

This session will introduce ULI’s Home Attainability Index 2025 followed by a panel that will explore innovative solutions to create housing that is user-centric, flexible, inclusive, and climate-resilient. How can we design communities that truly feel like home?

Speakers

Moderator

Lola Woetzel

Senior Partner Emerita McKinsey & Company

As an expert on urban development, economic master planning and sustainability, Lola has worked with local and national governments in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas to improve productivity, attract domestic and foreign investment, and deliver on environmental and social goals for more than 40 years. Based in China since 1986, she has conducted more than 100 projects for local governments throughout China…

Panelist

Ms. Belinda Bentley

Managing Director 9Springs

Belinda is the Founding Director of 9Springs, a leading independent project management and property advisory group, and is responsible for the group’s social infrastructure projects on behalf of government, not-for-profit, listed and private clients. Belinda is a Non-Executive Director of Link Wentworth Housing, one of Australia’s largest Community Housing Providers servicing 10,000 residents living in 6,400 social, affordable and specialist disability homes. Belinda is an…

Panelist

Mr. Aaron Foong

Executive Director, Buildings + Cities SJ Group

Aaron has led a wide range of complex urban projects across Singapore’s public and private sectors, including residential, mixed-use, transit-oriented, institutional, commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure developments. Aaron is a strong advocate for technology adoption in buildable and productive design, championing a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach that draws on the Group’s diverse expertise to deliver intelligent and practical solutions. Known for his pragmatic leadership style, he brings…

Panelist

Ms. Stephanie Lo

Vice Chairman and Executive Director Shui On Land

Ms. Stephanie B. Y. LO, aged 42, is the Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Company and Shui On Xintiandi Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Ms. Lo takes the lead on corporate development, business, and product innovation of the Group and also assists the Chairman of the Company in leading the Board in deciding on the direction and future development of the…

Panelist Asia Pacific Summit Program Committee

Mr. Jon Tanaka

Head of Asia Pacific Hines

Mr. Tanaka is Senior Managing Director and Country Head overseeing new business initiatives throughout Japan. He brings more than 25 years of Japan real estate development and investment experience to the firm. Before joining Hines, he was Managing Director, Head of Japan Real Estate and member of the investment committee for Angelo Gordon’s pan-Asia real estate investment team. Previously, he was Managing Director at RREEF…