NYC proptech pilot

Project overview

UrbanSense partnered with JLL Technologies (JLLT) and the City of New York to extend the benefits of proptech—technologies that transform how we interact with and operate real estate—to underserved properties within the City’s 491 million square foot real estate portfolio.

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Client:

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Location: New York, NY

Services:

Segment: Government

Industry: Real Estate, Technology, Climate

Background

Aside from bringing technologies— such as software, sensors, and IoT — that have traditionally been applied to Class A and luxury environments into City properties, the project aimed to directionally influence one of New York’s fastest-growing technology sectors. While the proptech industry in New York has been growing due to the city’s unique real estate ecosystem of vast holdings, support services, proximity to wealth, and market stability, its workforce has traditionally underperformed in terms of diversity and inclusion. For example, a 2020 Women in PropTech report found only 9% of proptech founders are women. The project identified solutions to address the needs of affordable housing and underrepresented Class B and C assets, as well as sourced diverse startups to implement pilots.

Want to learn more? Read more about NYC proptech Pilot

UrbanSense Approach

UrbanSense worked closely with New York City Department of Citywide Services Administration (DCAS), the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and JLL Technologies to design and pilot innovative proptech solutions. Key components of our approach include:

  • Startup Vetting and Recommendations: Partnering with JLL Spark, JLL’s proptech venture fund, to evaluate and recommend startups that align with NYC’s goals.

  • Sustainability Focus: Identifying and advancing technologies that contribute to NYC’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

  • Equity-Driven Solutions: Prioritizing innovations that extend the benefits of proptech to underserved communities.

  • Real Estate Optimization: Leveraging technology to maximize the potential of 491 million sq. ft. of NYC’s real estate portfolio.

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Outcomes

Outcomes from this work include a more proportionally represented proptech workforce, a boosted proptech industry in New York City, and direct benefits of the technologies themselves — better human experiences, increased equity and health, and greater climate sustainability. With this project, New York City is leading the way to show other cities how to solve intersecting problems by forging partnerships to test tools, boosting and transforming local economies and industries, and benefiting the people they serve.

While the project is ongoing, UrbanSense is driving measurable progress by:

  • Pilot programs launched at Brooklyn Army Terminal as part of “Pilots at BAT” and the new BAT Climate Innovation Hub.

  • Pilots are playing a key role in advancing public sector partnerships that support and grow promising new technologies for communities and New York city's future economy.

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