EXPO REAL 2025 showed that, after years of uncertainty, the European real estate industry has regained its confidence and direction. As the leading platform for real estate, urban development and investment, it provided a stage for around 42,000 trade visitors from over 70 countries in Munich from 6 to 8 October.
The focus was not only on economic issues, but above all on future topics directly linked to urban quality of life and security – from affordable housing and sustainable infrastructure to digital solutions for smart, resilient cities.
Affordable housing and safe living spaces
The key topic of ‘affordable housing’ dominated many discussions and highlighted how closely housing, urban development and social stability are interlinked. Federal Minister of Construction Verena Hubertz emphasised that construction must once again become a priority for society as a whole. Only through new forms of housing, flexible usage concepts and cooperation between politics and business can the growing demand be met.
Eamon Ryan, Chair of the European Commission’s Housing Advisory Board, emphasised that the creation of affordable housing is a European security task – in a social, economic and urban planning sense. Projects from Warsaw, Madrid and the Netherlands showed how innovative urban planning, digital control and energy efficiency can contribute to a better quality of life and stability in neighbourhoods. The combination of housing policy, sustainability and technical infrastructure in particular is increasingly seen as the foundation of urban resilience.
Technological innovation as the key to smart urban development
Innovation and digitalisation were the defining buzzwords at this year’s trade fair. Whether smart building control, AI-supported planning or data-based city models – the industry is relying on technology to become more efficient, sustainable and secure. There was a particular focus on solutions for digital twins, automated energy management and AI-based construction processes.
Dr Anna Hocker from BauGPT presented an AI platform that enables construction companies to link planning, controlling and documentation in real time. Christina Mauer, CEO of PropTech company einwert, also sees digital transformation as a turning point: ‘The real estate industry must now invest in efficiency, resource conservation and automation – anything else is no longer an option.’ In addition, companies such as EnBW mobility+ and ChargeGuru demonstrated how e-mobility and charging infrastructure are becoming central building blocks of urban sustainability and mobility security.
International perspectives and new investment impetus
In addition to technological trends, international interest was also a strong signal for the future viability of the European real estate market. Delegations from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Central Eastern Europe presented large-scale development projects that focus on sustainability, security and smart city technologies.
Ulrich Höller from ABG Real Estate Group spoke of a ‘calming phase’ in the market, in which ESG-compliant projects and high-quality core properties are once again coming into focus. Bernhard Grieb from Frankfurt Economic Development emphasised the role of the trade fair as a platform for trust: ‘Especially in times of transformation, it becomes clear how important personal encounters and partnership networks are.’
Kai Mende from CBRE also emphasised that EXPO REAL is the ideal stage for discussing challenges and opportunities in direct exchange and developing new business models.
Security, sustainability and networking as guiding principles
EXPO REAL 2025 has made it clear that urban security is now much more than crime prevention or building protection. It arises from the interplay of social balance, resilient infrastructure, technological efficiency and sustainable urban development. Close cooperation between the public sector, business and research is crucial in order to make cities future-proof, climate-neutral and liveable.
The mood at the trade fair was characterised by cautious optimism and a spirit of optimism. The industry is looking ahead again – and doing so with a clear awareness that safety, sustainability and innovation are inextricably linked.
The next EXPO REAL will take place in Munich from 5 to 7 October 2026 – eagerly awaited as the next step on the road to a connected, safe and smart urban future.
