The Real Estate Institute of BC is proud to present our next Lunch & Learn: From Vancouver to Abu Dhabi: Lessons in Building World-Class Cities

This presentation is proudly delivered in partnership with the Planning Institute of British Columbia and The Real Estate Institute of BC

Location
Vancouver Club - Grand Ballroom
915 W Hastings St, Vancouver BC, V6C 1C6
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:30-2:00pm

What happens when local expertise shapes global cities—and what comes back home.

Join renowned city planner Larry Beasley and urban development expert Michael White as they share firsthand insights from shaping one of the world’s most ambitious urban environments: Abu Dhabi. Drawing comparisons to Vancouver’s globally recognized planning model, this conversation will explore how large-scale vision, policy, and market forces intersect across continents.

Attendees—from developers and planners to real estate professionals and legal experts—will gain valuable perspective on how global best practices can inform the future of development in British Columbia.

Featured Speakers

Larry Beasley City Planner

Larry Beasley is the Distinguished Practice Professor of Planning at the University of British Columbia and founding principal of Beasley and Associates, an international planning consultancy. He gained global recognition as Director of Planning for the City of Vancouver. Over a 30-year civic career, he led land use and transportation planning, development approvals, and the transformation of Vancouver’s inner city. His work included neighbourhood revitalization, heritage preservation, and advancing Vancouver’s internationally recognized urban design model. He now advises governments and the private sector worldwide. His international roles have included advising the cities of Dallas and Rotterdam, chairing a national advisory committee for Canada’s Capital Commission, and serving as Special Advisor on City Planning to the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Mr. Beasley has also held senior roles with Aquilini Development and Concord Pacific. He holds degrees in geography, political science, and planning, and has received honorary doctorates from Simon Fraser University and Dalhousie University.

A Member of the Order of Canada, he is also a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners and recipient of the prestigious Kevin Lynch Prize from MIT.

Michael White Senior Urban Planner

Michael White is the associate vice-president of Campus and Community Planning at the University of British Columbia. He is an urban planning professional with decades of experience in North America, the Middle East, and Asia. He specializes in strategic planning, major project implementation, transportation planning, partnership agreements, and community engagement. Michael was the senior Canadian stationed in Abu Dhabi for the five-year Canadian planning initiative.

Following his work in Abu Dhabi, Michael served as a Principal at AECOM Canada, delivering projects across Canada and internationally. He holds a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Arts from UBC, and is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Program 
11:30am   Check in / Lunch Buffet (Grand Ballroom)
12:00pm   Presentations (lunch/dessert continues)
1:00pm     Q&A + Networking
2:00pm     Concludes

Special Notes
Vancouver Club enforces a dress code policy. While there is no on-site parking available at the event venue, paid public parking is located nearby.