From AI Value to Real-World Impact: Key Takeaways from the PuRE-net Conference in Vilnius

The PuRE-net Annual Conference 2026, held in Vilnius on 16–18 September, brought together public real estate organisations from across Europe to explore how the sector is evolving and where its greatest opportunities for impact lie.

Over two and a half days, we kept returning to one central question: how can we harness AI in public real estate not only to manage assets more efficiently, but also to create meaningful change in our cities and communities?

The presentations, discussions and questions from participants made one thing clear: the role of public real estate in Europe is changing. Increasingly, it is being viewed not simply as a portfolio of assets to be managed, but as a strategic resource that can support urban development, innovation, sustainability and wider public value.

We explored innovation ecosystems, artificial intelligence, sustainable urban development, and how former government, military and other restricted-access sites can be transformed into vibrant places that bring new life to neighbourhoods, communities and local economies.

Technology with a purpose

The first day of the conference focused on artificial intelligence (AI). Yet the key message was not about technology for technology’s sake. It was about practical value.

AI creates value when it becomes part of everyday work – helping people make better decisions, streamline processes and address real challenges more effectively.

Together with our speakers, we explored not only what AI can do, but where it can make a real difference today. We also looked at how AI is reshaping customer expectations, the workplace and, increasingly, the way we think about the purpose and use of buildings.

The hands-on AI workshops brought these discussions to life. Participants had the opportunity to test several of the latest AI tools and explore practical ways of incorporating them into their day-to-day work.

When public assets become catalysts for urban change

The second day turned the focus to the role of public real estate in urban regeneration.

Examples from Iceland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Italy and Ireland demonstrated how former military, government and other restricted-access sites can be transformed into open, vibrant and people-centred places.

Across very different contexts, a common idea emerged: successful urban projects do not begin with the question, “What should we build here?” They begin by asking, “What do we want this place to be ten years from now?”

That perspective also changes how we understand the value of public assets. Their value cannot be measured in financial terms alone. Public real estate can contribute to quality of life, more open and inclusive cities, stronger communities, economic development and regional resilience.

From managing assets to creating impact

For us, the PuRE-net Annual Conference 2026 was not only an opportunity to learn from the experience of colleagues across Europe. It was also a chance to step back from our day-to-day work and look at it through a broader European lens.

One message stood out throughout the conference: public real estate is increasingly becoming a platform for change, while technology is a tool that can help us turn ambition into better solutions.

This also leaves us with an important question to take back to our organisations: what impact do our everyday decisions have – not only on public assets, but on the people, institutions and cities that those assets serve?

We ended the two conference days with a simple challenge: take home not only new ideas, but at least one solution that can be put into practice tomorrow.