Study finds Europe’s real estate investors are set to increase tech spend as part of their energy efficiency drive

July 08: Almost seven in 10 (69%) of European real estate institutional investors will increase the amount they spend on technology over the next three years to improve energy efficiency across their portfolios, new research1 by re:sustain, the leading science-based technology platform which optimises the energy consumption of real estate assets reveals.  

Re:sustain’s research with 200 European real estate institutional asset managers in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Italy, with a combined AUM of €296 billion, finds improving technology is the most effective way to improve energy efficiency.

When asked the main advantages of technology when it comes to improving energy efficiency of buildings, 73% of respondents say it delivers faster results – and 55% say it is cheaper – than upgrading or retrofitting.

Almost two thirds (61%) highlight the lower levels of disruption from using tech to improve energy efficiency versus retrofitting, while 50% say it is easier to secure tenant buy in compared to upgrading a property. Almost half (46%) of real estate managers say technology helps to protect their assets’ value, while 17% point to the ability to use technology across old and new buildings.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents say investing in technology which can optimise a building’s systems to reduce energy usage remotely will be the most impactful in managing energy consumption, followed by 60% who cite investment in a new building management system. This compares to 54% who say investment in new systems such as HVAC and lighting is the most effective way to reduce energy consumption, and 14% who believe improving the behaviours of occupants is the most beneficial.

Nearly nine out of ten (89%) real estate asset managers say the use of technology is important to enhancing energy consumption strategies across their portfolios. One fifth (20%) are neutral and 2% say technology is not important at all.

However, the research reveals the use of technology is not widespread across investors’ portfolios.

While 51% of respondents say they use technology in new buildings, only 18% say they do so in older properties. Further, just 3% of those surveyed say technology is in use across all buildings in their portfolios, with 21% using it in offices only.

Real estate managers use technology for multiple purposes across their portfolios, with 69% employing it to manage buildings remotely. Just under two-thirds (64%) of respondents say technology is beneficial for monitoring energy consumption while 30% use systems to model and understand where and how improvements can be made.

Katie Whipp, Chief Business Officer at re:sustain, said: “Real estate managers are under pressure from all sides to manage their energy consumption. Regulation is tightening across Europe and at the same time, tenants are demanding sustainable and energy efficient buildings to meet their own ESG commitments.

“Bringing properties into line with the green transition on budget and on time, can be a daunting prospect, especially for those managers facing major retrofits or upgrades. Our research shows that asset managers recognise the importance in using technology has evolved considerably to understand their buildings and make positive changes without unnecessary capital expenditure. But the use of tech is far from universal. It is essential that the sector utilises technology to reduce energy consumption, manage costs and ensure a smooth journey to Net Zero.”

re:sustain was founded in 2021 by scientists who recognised that while data was being collected about real estate energy consumption, it wasn’t improving usage. To solve this problem, the re:sustain team developed innovative technology which uses collected building management system data (BMS) to create a highly calibrated digital twin of each building – an accurate model that reflects real asset performance. This dynamic thermal model allows for precise simulations and analyses, eliminating guesswork and enabling targeted interventions.

The proprietary re:sustain engine processes the digital twin data and the BMS data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, whilst calculating potential carbon savings. This remote approach allows for targeted optimisations and detailed mechanical insights on existing systems, reducing energy use, carbon emissions, and operational costs in support of sustainability goals—all without requiring Capex from asset owners or business interruption for occupiers.

To date, buildings using re:sustain technology have enjoyed 37% average annual energy savings in a process that takes just four to six weeks to implement.

Goodbye to Manual Sewer entry, welcome to AI-Powered Sewer Governance

Hyderabad, July 8: In a landmark step towards safer cities, smarter governance and the elimination of hazardous sewer work, Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company The Bot Factory will launch Project SHUDH, India’s first AI–powered Sewer Governance Fleet, on July 11, 2026, at T-Works, Hyderabad.

Developed as part of a disaster-management robotics initiative, Project SHUDH represents a significant shift from sewer cleaning to sewer governance.

Sri D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, as Chief Guest will formally launch the most coveted solution in the presence  Sri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Hyderabad Metropolitan Area & Sports, Government of Telangana, as Guest of Honour; and Sri Sanjay Jaju, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, as Special Guest.

Unlike most sewer-cleaning technologies that focus solely on mechanization, Project SHUDH is designed as a complete governance platform where every sewer intervention can be digitally tracked, recorded, analysed and monitored. The larger objective is to help cities move towards zero manual sewer entry while enabling smarter management of underground infrastructure.

A Hyderabad Innovation with a National Mission

The Bot Factory is a Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company focused on developing intelligent robotic systems for public safety, disaster management, environmental protection and urban infrastructure.

The company has gained attention for Project SHUDH, an AI–powered robotic platform aimed at eliminating the need for human entry into sewers and manholes.

Its mission is to create autonomous robotic systems capable of performing dangerous and hazardous tasks traditionally carried out by humans, thereby improving safety, efficiency and accountability.

From Sewer Cleaning to Sewer Governance

While conventional technologies largely focus on mechanized cleaning, Project SHUDH introduces a comprehensive governance framework for underground assets.

The platform combines: Autonomous sewer-cleaning robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), GIS and satellite-based monitoring, Predictive analytics for blockage detection and Real-time governance dashboards for civic authorities

The objective is not merely sewer cleaning but the creation of a digital, auditable and data-driven management system for underground infrastructure.

Every intervention generates actionable data, transforming underground maintenance from a reactive activity into a transparent and accountable governance process.

A Technological Solution to a Human Challenge

Despite advances in mechanization, sewer workers across India continue to face significant occupational risks.

Project SHUDH seeks to eliminate the need for human entry into hazardous sewer environments by deploying intelligent robotic systems capable of cleaning, inspection and data collection.

The initiative aligns closely with national priorities relating to worker safety, Smart Cities, digital governance and technology-led public service delivery.

Proven in the Field

Project SHUDH has already been demonstrated in Hyderabad in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB).

The system is capable of operating in both vertical manholes and horizontal sewer pipelines while generating real-time operational data and digital maps of underground drainage networks.

These capabilities enable authorities to monitor infrastructure health, identify recurring problem areas and make informed maintenance decisions.

What sets Project SHUDH apart is its vision of creating an intelligence layer beneath cities. By combining robotics, AI, predictive analytics and geospatial technologies, the platform transforms underground infrastructure into a measurable, monitorable and governable public asset.

The long-term goal is to help cities achieve zero manual sewer entry, improve worker safety, reduce operational costs and establish a modern governance framework for underground infrastructure.

Addressing a National Challenge

India’s sewer and septic infrastructure remain significantly under-mechanized and under-digitized. In most cities, sewer maintenance is carried out through a combination of jetting machines, suction equipment, desilting vehicles and manual intervention. When mechanical methods fail to resolve blockages, workers are often required to enter manholes and sewer networks, exposing them to hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

This underlines the urgent need for technology-driven solutions such as robotic and AI–powered sewer management systems.

India has an estimated 800,000 sanitation and sewer-cleaning workers involved in sewer, septic tank and drain maintenance activities.

Thousands continue to be engaged in hazardous cleaning work despite legal prohibitions.

According to data presented in Parliament, 377 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks were reported between 2019 and 2023.

Enormous Market Potential

The potential market for Project SHUDH is substantial. India has: More than 4,500 statutory towns, Hundreds of municipal corporations and municipalities, Smart Cities, Water and sewerage boards, Industrial townships and Cantonment boards

The domestic requirement could eventually run into thousands of robotic units. If every manhole inspection, blockage, cleaning operation and repair is digitally recorded, municipalities gain: Greater accountability, Complete audit trails, Performance monitoring, Contractor oversight, Predictive maintenance capabilities, Improved budget planning

India’s underground infrastructure remains one of the least digitized public assets. If Project SHUDH succeeds in integrating robotics, AI and governance into a unified platform, it could create an entirely new category of urban technology serving thousands of municipalities and utility agencies across the country.

KEZAD Group to Host Touchdown Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi for the First Time

Fourth edition of regional data centre conference moves to the UAE, bringing digital industry leaders together in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 8: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, will host Touchdown Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the region-wide data centre conference will take place in the UAE.

Organised by the Gulf Data Centre Association (GDCA), the fourth edition of Touchdown Middle East 2026 will take place on 18–19 November 2026 at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Following three consecutive years in Bahrain, the conference’s move to Abu Dhabi reflects its growing regional footprint and positions the UAE’s capital as its first new host venue.

The conference will attract data centre operators, investors, technology providers, government stakeholders, real estate leaders, energy specialists and digital infrastructure decision-makers from across the Middle East and international markets. The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 visitors, over 400 companies, 70 speakers and participants from more than 30 countries.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO, Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster — AD Ports Group, said: “Hosting Touchdown Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi reflects the Emirate’s growing role in the digital infrastructure economy. Data centres are now central to industrial growth, AI adoption, cloud services, advanced manufacturing and secure digital trade. At KEZAD Group, we see this conference as a practical platform to connect investors, operators and infrastructure partners with Abu Dhabi’s industrial base, logistics strength and long-term growth environment.”

The two-day conference will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, networking meetings and industry-led conversations on the key issues shaping the sector, including power availability, connectivity, site readiness, regulation, investment, AI demand, cloud growth and sustainable data centre development.

Henry Sutton, Director of the Gulf Data Centre Association and Touchdown Middle East, said: “Touchdown Middle East was created to bring the region’s data centre industry together, with a clear focus on knowledge, partnerships and market growth. After three successful years in Bahrain, bringing the fourth edition to Abu Dhabi is an important step for the event and for the wider regional industry. We are delighted to have KEZAD Group as our main sponsor and we look forward to welcoming leaders from across the data centre value chain to discuss the next phase of digital infrastructure growth in the Middle East.”

Abu Dhabi is placing digital infrastructure at the centre of its next phase of economic growth, with a clear focus on AI demand, sovereign cloud, hyperscale compute, power planning and industrial land readiness. The Emirate’s Digital Strategy 2025 to 2027 commits AED 13 billion to digital transformation and targets full sovereign cloud adoption for government operations, full automation of government processes and more than 200 AI-led solutions across public services. Abu Dhabi has also moved into large-scale AI compute through Stargate UAE, a planned 1GW compute cluster within the wider 5GW UAE and US AI Campus, with the first 200MW expected to go live in 2026. Together, these steps make Abu Dhabi a strong host for a regional data centre conference focused on the next wave of AI, cloud and digital infrastructure investment.

The conference comes at a time when demand for digital infrastructure is rising across the region, driven by AI, cloud computing, data sovereignty, smart industry, enterprise digital services and the growth of high-capacity connectivity. As main sponsor, KEZAD Group will leverage the platform to foster dialogue on how industrial zones, logistics platforms, energy infrastructure and real estate can work together to support the next wave of data centre investment.

Investments in Indian Real Estate Diversify Geographically Amid Global Headwinds – Vestian

New Delhi, July 08:

Geographical Diversification on the Rise

Unlike the previous quarter, institutional investments in India’s real estate sector witnessed broader geographic diversification in Q2 2026. Multi-city transactions accounted for nearly 60% of the total investment inflows, while the remaining 40% was distributed across India’s top seven cities. Among individual markets, Chennai attracted the largest share of investments at approximately 16%, followed by Bengaluru at 11%. This shift reflects investors’ growing preference for geographically diversified portfolios and underscores the expanding investment potential across India’s major metropolitan markets despite persistent global economic headwinds.

Source: Vestian Research

Robust Investments Amid Geopolitical Challenges

Institutional investments in India’s real estate sector surged to USD 2.7 Bn in Q2 2026, registering a two-fold increase over the previous quarter and 49% rise compared to the same period last year. This strong growth underscores continued investor confidence in the sector despite prevailing geopolitical and economic challenges. Moreover, cumulative investments reached USD 4.1 Bn in H1 2026, the highest first-half inflow recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, a gradual improvement in global economic and geopolitical conditions is expected to bolster foreign investor participation, while domestic investors are likely to further intensify capital deployment across asset classes.

Source: Vestian Research

Office Assets Led Investments on the back of Heightened Demand from GCCs

Commercial assets continued to dominate institutional investments in Q2 2026, accounting for 70% of the total inflows. Supported by robust occupier demand from Global Capability Centers (GCCs), the segment attracted approximately USD 1.9 Bn in investments, registering 67% quarterly and 72% yearly rise.

Investments in residential assets nearly doubled over the previous quarter, attracting USD 0.4 Bn. Despite the strong sequential rise in investment value, the share remained largely stable at 15%.

Diversified assets emerged as the fastest-growing category, with investment inflows surging 566% quarter-on-quarter to USD 0.37 Bn, primarily driven by a low base effect. In contrast, investment activity in the industrial and warehousing segment remained relatively subdued, attracting USD 0.03 Bn during the quarter.

Note: Values depicted are in USD Mn, rounded to the nearest whole number

           Commercial assets include office, retail, co-working, and hospitality projects.            Diversified assets include commercial, residential, and/or industrial & warehousing

Source: Vestian Research

Participation of Foreign Investors Increased as Global Uncertainty Subsided

Domestic investors accounted for the largest share of institutional investments in Q2 2026 at 58%, although their contribution declined from 72% in the previous quarter. In value terms, domestic investments reached USD 1.5 Bn, registering annual and quarterly growth of 363% and 53%, respectively.

Foreign investors contributed 38% to the total investments during the quarter, with inflows surpassing USD 1 Bn following a 454% quarter-on-quarter increase. Meanwhile, the share of co-investments declined to 4%, indicating a growing preference for independent capital deployment.

Shrinivas Rao, FRICS, CEO, Vestian said, “India’s real estate sector attracted significant institutional investments during the second quarter of 2026, mainly driven by robust domestic capital deployment and a revival in foreign investor participation. While commercial assets continue to attract the lion’s share of investments on the back of sustained GCC expansion, increased diversification across asset classes reflects growing investor confidence in the broader real estate ecosystem. As geopolitical and economic uncertainties gradually ease further, investment activity is expected to remain buoyant, reinforcing India’s position as a preferred global real estate investment destination.”

Note: Values depicted are in USD Mn, rounded to the nearest whole number

           Co-investment refers to joint funding by foreign and domestic investors

Source: Vestian Research

New Initiative Launched to Support Growth of India’s Handloom Sector

New Delhi, July 8: The Government has launched the Handloom Hackathon 2026 to encourage new ideas, innovation and technology-based solutions for the growth of the handloom sector.

The initiative will provide a platform for weavers, designers, entrepreneurs and innovators to develop solutions that can improve the quality, productivity and market reach of handloom products.

The programme will focus on promoting modern designs, digital solutions, sustainable practices and better production techniques while supporting traditional weaving communities across the country.

The hackathon aims to connect artisans with young innovators and industry experts to create practical solutions that can strengthen the handloom sector and preserve India’s rich textile heritage.

The government expects the initiative to generate new opportunities for weavers and help the sector adapt to changing market needs.