The property sector is shifting rapidly. Technology, new workforce expectations, sustainability aims and changes in how people use cities are reshaping the foundations real estate has long relied on. Nikki Greenberg, a globally recognised futurist and innovation strategist, has become one of the leading voices helping the industry understand this shift.
Her work spans three continents, advising developers, investors, agencies and government leaders on how to prepare for what is already unfolding.
Trained as an architect and known for her work on significant projects from New York to Sydney, Nikki operates at the meeting point of urban design, technology and human behaviour.
Her vantage point gives the industry rare clarity at a moment when real estate is being shaped by changes in how people live, work, move and transact.
In her conversation with Tabish Ali from The Motivational Speakers Agency, she outlined the shifts already influencing cities, the role of AI, and the rising expectations of younger generations entering the workforce.
For real estate leaders, her message is steady and unmistakable: adaptation is not optional.
The new shape of cities
Asked about the defining forces shaping tomorrow’s cities, Nikki describes a turning point not seen since the mid-20th century.
“I think we all know that, at the moment, cities are going through a full transformation, and it’s something that’s quite exciting because what we’re seeing now is that cities are truly embracing the digital way that we live and work and play.”
Where post-war cities were shaped by cars and suburban expansion, today’s shifts stem from automation and changing expectations about quality of life.
“But what we haven’t really seen in this day, and age is the way that cities are transforming because of technologies like AI, the cloud, and robotics.”
For Nikki, the central question is no longer how to move vehicles through urban centres, but how to create places that attract people, productivity, and investment.
“Today, cities are transforming in a way that actually thinks about how people interact with them. What’s going to drive them in? What’s going to make cities more productive, sustainable, resilient, and better places to live?”
Her view is shaped in part by her home city.
“I live in New York, arguably, and I think there’d be many who agree, the most exciting city on Earth.”
From conversions of office buildings into residential accommodation to new transport models including flying taxis, she sees a period of experimentation unlike anything in recent memory.
“It’s the most exciting time to be working in this space and looking at the future of cities.”
For real estate businesses, the key message is that action cannot wait.
“The future’s not just coming, it’s already here. But what’s most important for all of us… is that we need to make the changes today to create the future of tomorrow that we want to see.”
A digital turning point for real estate
Nikki believes real estate is now reaching the same turning point that banking hit when digital tools reshaped customer expectations.
As she explains, “There’s a very, very exciting time for the real estate industry – it’s going through a full digital transformation at the moment, very similar to what a lot of us have experienced in banking.”
As consumers expect seamless, app-driven interactions, buildings and property transactions will be no exception.
“What’s starting to happen is that the way we interact with buildings is all going to be completely digitised.”
Digitisation, she notes, is not limited to sales or marketing.
It spans design, construction, building operations, service delivery, and data-driven decision-making.
“What we’re seeing is that the physical space and cyberspace are starting to merge together, and this is something that’s really exciting.”
For agencies, developers, and investors, the opportunities lie in efficiency gains, better customer experiences, and smarter assets.
“It’s about looking for opportunities where others might not, seeing how we can cut costs, create a better product, a better experience, and basically make properties future ready.”
Gen Z and the future workforce
With Gen Z becoming the largest global demographic, real estate businesses must rethink how they attract and retain employees in an increasingly competitive market.
“Gen Z are pretty fantastic, and they’re actually a really unique generation that just doesn’t get enough credit.”
Raised in a permanently digital world, their expectations differ sharply from previous generations.
“The way they engage with the world is always hyper-connected, hyper-digital, and hyper-engaged. They’re super savvy, super smart.”
Yet disengagement is widespread.
“Statistics show that even this year, in 2023, 70% of Gen Z are thinking about changing jobs.”
She argues that workplaces that remain inflexible will struggle to keep them.
“You can’t have an analogue workplace — it doesn’t work for them. You actually want to have a digital, personalised experience.”
Equally important are environmental values and individual expression.
“We know that, with Gen Z, the environment really matters to them… they’re a generation that loves to express themselves, they expect personalisation, and they want to be engaged as individuals.”
Why ‘mental toughness’ misses the Mark
In recent years, resilience training has become popular in corporate environments. Nikki, however, argues that the concept is misplaced.
“I’m going to be a little bit controversial right out of the gate … unfortunately, I just think mental toughness is not what we should be looking for.”
Instead of pushing staff to harden themselves, she says leaders should focus on motivation, clarity, and genuine support.
“We shouldn’t be coming to work trying to be tough and bold and push through it.”
People, she emphasises, are not uniform and workplaces that recognise the realities of human behaviour – including good days, bad days, personal circumstances, and shifting energy levels – create stronger performance and better outcomes.
“Give them some autonomy, but also clarity on what they’re moving towards.”
And above all, connect the daily tasks to a larger purpose.
“How does your contribution in this little task actually make the world a better place?”
What this means for industry leaders
Nikki’s guidance lands at a time when the sector is facing economic pressure, a redefinition of urban life, shifts in workforce expectations, and the rapid spread of AI.
Her view is clear: agencies and businesses that remain adaptable, technologically competent, and human-centred will be the ones best placed to thrive.
For an industry built on long-term assets, the most important work may be the mindset shift she describes – from resisting change to shaping it.
