Firebreak: Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate
Firebreak: Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate, a 2020 report, details the implications of wildfires for the real estate industry and explores best practices in building design and land use policy that can reduce the damage caused by wildfires and help set communities up to thrive in the long run.
Scorched: Extreme Heat and Real Estate
Scorched: Extreme Heat and Real Estate, a 2019 report, outlines how extreme heat will affect the real estate and land use sectors and highlights the leadership and the potential positive impact of the real estate sector in implementing “heat-resilient” building designs and land uses.
Resilient Parks and Open Spaces
Parks present an important opportunity to enhance community resilience, as well as improve the local quality of life, access to recreation, and public health. This collection showcases real estate projects that leverage parks and open space to help address the effects of climate change, from protecting against water-related events to mitigating heat island effects.
Projects that Withstood Effects of Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey dropped 27 trillion gallons of rain on the Houston metropolitan area. These real estate and land use projects stood up to the impacts of the devastating weather event and recovered quickly due to the incorporation of resilient design strategies.
ULI Case Studies
The ULI Case Studies site showcases all ULI case studies and briefs, including all the briefs found on this site. These resources feature timelines, site plans, photos, financial data, building data, developer comments, and much more from ULI-member development projects around the world, all in one searchable library. Find them at casestudies.uli.org
Harvesting the Value of Water
Stormwater, Green Infrastructure, & Real Estate
This 2017 report explores the real estate sector’s increased participation in stormwater management through the incorporation of green infrastructure. The report details how cities in the United States are dramatically revising their stormwater management regulations and requiring participation from the private sector. Many of the green infrastructure and water management briefs found on this website derived from this report.
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure manages water through natural processes, slowing water so it can be absorbed and filtered on site. These briefs introduce real estate projects and parks incorporating green infrastructure best practices that introduce operational efficiencies, improve the building user experience, enhance aesthetics, and generate opportunities for improved public health, among other benefits.
Buildings Prepared for Sea Level Rise
Coastal communities are already feeling the pressures of rising sea levels. This collection highlights best practices in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of rising seas. Briefs provide an overview of resilient design strategies, including elevated mechanical systems and building grades, green infrastructure, and more.
Policies Enhancing Resilience
In cities across the United States, investments in community resilience are climbing through both public sector programs and private sector involvement. This collection highlights innovative city policies that respond to climate risk and create new mechanisms for private sector participation in adaptation and mitigation.
Returns on Resilience
The Business Case
This publication showcases real estate developments that incorporate resilient design measures and provide positive financial, operational, and other business outcomes. This report includes briefs explaining the motivations of developers and property owners to protect buildings and sites against climate-related threats, their resilience strategies, their design and development processes, and the performance of their projects.
10 Principles for Building Resilience
This publication summarizes key themes posed by ULI’s national resilience work since Hurricane Sandy. The report considers the economic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to resilience and how the concept of resilience translates to the private sector, municipal decision makers, and communities.
Boston, Massachusetts

Atlantic Wharf

Atlantic Wharf

Mixed use, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Native plants & trees, Rainwater cistern, Reuse systems
Washington, D.C.

The Avenue

The Avenue

Mixed use, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Rainwater cistern, Retention pond or ice rink, Reuse systems
South Florida

South Florida Resort

South Florida Resort

Resort, Elevated mechanicals, Renewable & distributed energy, Water harvesting & recycling
Orange County, California

Rancho Mission Viejo

Rancho Mission Viejo

Mixed use, Climate/ hazard modeling, Defensible space, Fire-resistant landscape, Ignition resistant materials, Native plants & trees, Strategic density
Harris County, Texas

Stonebrook Estates

Stonebrook Estates

Master planned community, Bioretention swales, Detention basin, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Natural drainage system
Brooklyn, New York

Empire Stores

Empire Stores

Mixed use, Backup power, Elevated mechanicals, Flood walls, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Renewable & distributed energy
Washington, D.C.

Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program

Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Bayshore Villas

Bayshore Villas

Residential, Green infrastructure & landscape features
Boise, Idaho

Avimor

Avimor

Mixed use, Climate/ hazard modeling, Defensible space, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Fire-resistant landscape, Ignition resistant materials, Native plants & trees, Strategic density
Sonoma County, California

Pepperwood

Pepperwood

Academic, Park, Mixed use, Climate/ hazard modeling, Defensible space, Fire-resistant landscape, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Ignition resistant materials, Non-toxic materials
Houston, Texas

Buffalo Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Park

Park, Detention basin, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system, Retention pond or ice rink
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Penn Park

Penn Park

Park, Bioretention swales, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Monitoring systems, Native plants & trees, Rain gardens, Rainwater cistern, Reuse systems
Charleston, South Carolina

Church Creek Flood Storage and Resiliency Project

Church Creek Flood Storage and Resiliency Project
Burbank, California

Burbank Water and Power EcoCampus

Burbank Water and Power EcoCampus

Community facility, Detention basin, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Native plants & trees, Permeable pavement, Reuse systems, Tree boxes
Portland, Oregon

Meier & Frank Delivery Depot

Meier & Frank Delivery Depot

Commercial & office, Bioretention swales, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Monitoring systems, Rainwater cistern, Reuse systems
San Francisco, California

Building Occupancy Resumption Program

Building Occupancy Resumption Program
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

SkySong

SkySong

Commercial & office, Park, Master planned community, Mixed use, Residential, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Heat prepared exterior, Native plants & trees
Boston, Massachusetts

The Eddy

The Eddy

Mixed use, Elevated mechanicals, Grade elevation & access, Native plants & trees
San Francisco

Maceo May

Maceo May

Residential, Backup power, Grade elevation & access, Heat prepared exterior, Renewable & distributed energy, Resilience hub, Seismic resistance
Tampa, Florida

Encore!

Encore!

Master planned community, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Permeable pavement, Reuse systems, Stormwater vault
FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Sundance Square Plaza

Sundance Square Plaza

Park, Cool surfaces, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Permeable pavement
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Resort, Native plants & trees, Renewable & distributed energy
Paradise, California

Paradise Long-Term Recovery Plan

Paradise Long-Term Recovery Plan

Fire-resistant landscape, Ignition resistant materials
Lancaster, California

KB Homes Double ZeroHouse

KB Homes Double ZeroHouse

Residential, Native plants & trees, Renewable & distributed energy, Water harvesting & recycling
Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Rose

The Rose

Residential, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Rain gardens, Rainwater cistern, Reuse systems, Stormwater vault
Miami, Florida

1450 Brickell

1450 Brickell

Mixed use, Grade elevation & access
Bridgeland, Texas

Bridgeland

Bridgeland

Master planned community, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system, Retention pond or ice rink, Reuse systems, Water harvesting & recycling
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cira Green

Cira Green

Park, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system, Permeable pavement, Rain gardens, Water harvesting & recycling
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

National Landing

National Landing

Commercial & office, Mixed use, Cool surfaces, Green infrastructure & landscape features
Washington, District of Columbia

District Wharf

District Wharf

Master planned community, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Elevated mechanicals, Grade elevation & access, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Native plants & trees, Permeable pavement, Rain gardens, Rainwater cistern, Tree boxes
Detroit, Michigan

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

Community facility, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs
Harris County, Texas

Harris County Voluntary Acquisition Program and Community Flood Resilience Task Force

Harris County Voluntary Acquisition Program and Community Flood Resilience Task Force
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Brock Environmental Center

Brock Environmental Center

Community facility, Grade elevation & access, Renewable & distributed energy, Water harvesting & recycling
Philadelphia, PA

FDR Park Master Plan

FDR Park Master Plan

Park, Detention basin, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system
image
Queens, New York

Arverne by the Sea

Arverne by the Sea

Master planned community, Mixed use, Transit-oriented development, Grade elevation & access, Green infrastructure & landscape features
CINCINNATI, OHIO

Urban Canopy Policy

Urban Canopy Policy
Houston, Texas

Bagby Street

Bagby Street

District, Transit-oriented development, Cool surfaces, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Permeable pavement, Rain gardens
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Cool Neighborhoods

Cool Neighborhoods
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Finch Cambridge

Finch Cambridge

Residential, Backup power, Cool surfaces, Elevated mechanicals, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Heat prepared exterior, Impact-resistant and hardened materials, Resilience hub
San Antonio, Texas

The Residences at La Cantera

The Residences at La Cantera

Master planned community, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Monitoring systems, Native plants & trees, Rainwater cistern, Water harvesting & recycling
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Cool Surfaces: Roofs and Roads

Cool Surfaces: Roofs and Roads
New Jersey

New Jersey Blue Acres Buyout Program

New Jersey Blue Acres Buyout Program
Boston, Massachusetts

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Medical institution, Bioretention swales, Elevated mechanicals, Grade elevation & access, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Natural drainage system, Renewable & distributed energy
Nashville, Tennessee

Gaylord Opryland / Grand Ole Opry

Gaylord Opryland / Grand Ole Opry

Resort, Flood walls
Alabama

FORTIFIED Home Building Standards

FORTIFIED Home Building Standards
Tucson, Arizona

ENR2

ENR2

Academic, Backup power, Elevated mechanicals, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Heat prepared exterior, Native plants & trees, Renewable & distributed energy, Water harvesting & recycling
Caldwell, Idaho

Indian Creek Daylighting

Indian Creek Daylighting

Park, Bioretention swales, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system, Permeable pavement
Toronto, Canada

Toronto Green Roof Bylaw & Eco-Roof Incentive Program

Toronto Green Roof Bylaw & Eco-Roof Incentive Program
Raleigh, North Carolina

Market at Colonnade

Market at Colonnade

Commercial & office, Bioretention swales, Detention basin, Efficient fixtures or irrigation, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Monitoring systems, Rainwater cistern, Reuse systems
Tucson, Arizona

Meander Bend Park

Meander Bend Park

Park, Climate/ hazard modeling, Green infrastructure & landscape features
Missouri City, Texas

Park 8Ninety

Park 8Ninety

Commercial & office, Detention basin, Grade elevation & access, Green infrastructure & landscape features
Seattle, Washington

High Point

High Point

Residential, Bioretention swales, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Native plants & trees, Natural drainage system, Permeable pavement, Rain gardens, Retention pond or ice rink
Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Floodplain Buyout Program

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Floodplain Buyout Program
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Green City, Clean Waters

Green City, Clean Waters
Washington, District of Columbia

Canal Park

Canal Park

Park, Bioretention swales, Filtration systems, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Green roofs, Rain gardens, Rainwater cistern, Retention pond or ice rink, Reuse systems, Tree boxes
Prescott, Arizona

Prescott Area Wildland-Urban Interface Commission

Prescott Area Wildland-Urban Interface Commission

Defensible space, Fire-resistant landscape
PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Edison Eastlake

Edison Eastlake

Park, Mixed use, Residential, Backup power, Cool surfaces, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Heat prepared exterior, Native plants & trees, Permeable pavement, Resilience hub
Austin, Texas

Austin's Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Austin's Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Climate/ hazard modeling, Defensible space, Fire-resistant landscape, Ignition resistant materials
San Francisco, California

181 Fremont

181 Fremont

Mixed use, Seismic resistance
Seattle, Washington

Seattle Green Factor

Seattle Green Factor
Boise, Idaho

Central Addition LIV District

Central Addition LIV District

District, Green infrastructure & landscape features, Permeable pavement, Renewable & distributed energy, Tree boxes

Submit your project or resource

Nominate resilient projects, policies or resources to be included in the Developing Urban Resilience brief library. ULI welcomes new submissions and will provide some support with research and writing.

Acknowledgments

The Urban Land Institute’s Urban Resilience program is grateful to The JPB Foundation, which supported this project, as well to other funders who supported much of the research on the site, such as The Kresge Foundation, the New York Community Trust, and the ULI Foundation. The Urban Resilience program would also like to thank the vast ULI network, including the many members, district councils, and product councils that have generously contributed their time and expertise to the briefs included on this site through interviews, research, and project nominations. In particular, the Responsible Property Investment Council initiated this website through the Returns on Resilience report in 2015, and district councils—including ULI Michigan, ULI Idaho, and ULI Houston—nominated projects from their regions to be included in this site launch. Thank you to all who have been and continue to be involved in creating content for “Developing Urban Resilience.”