Rajah & Tann’s Norman Ho joins roster of elite judges at Real Estate Asia Awards 2021

The Senior Partner for Corporate Real Estate at Rajah & Tann Asia thinks that the developed world is moving towards ESG development (Environmental, Social and Governance)

With over 35 years of experience in corporate real estate work, Norman Ho has advised on a wide spectrum of property-related transactions, including investment sales and purchase (by way of share or asset sales), collective sales and project development transactions. 

He regularly advises property developers, investment funds, statutory boards, property consultants, investors, financial institutions and purchasers in corporate real estate matters. He is one of the co-authors of the authoritative publication of "Halsbury's Laws and Precedents - Land" and contributed a chapter on Real Estate for "The Practice of Law" published by LexisNexis and the Legal Advisor for the Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore for more than 22 years and a current Board Member of the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (Singapore Chapter).

Norman has been identified as a leading real estate lawyer by independent legal directories such as Chambers Asia Pacific and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He has been recognised as an Elite Practitioner in Real Estate by Asialaw Profiles 2021 and named “Lawyer of the Year - Real Estate Law” by Best Lawyers 2020, a recognition given annually to a lawyer with the highest overall peer-review feedback in a specific practice area for a particular geographic region.

As one of Real Estate Asia Awards 2021 judges, Norman sat down with us to give his timely views about the real estate challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, green financing, work-life balance concept for developments, and the future of Asian real estate. 

What do you think is the most important factor when judging real estate developments for the Real Estate Asia awards? 

I think the most important is to harmonise development with sustainable living where the developers not only look at commercial viability but also with environmental and ecosystem value. The developers must work with the environment and tap into the nature and the surrounding ambiance and at the same time work  on the provision of  smart home technology, such as facial recognition systems and etc.

What can the real estate industry learn from the COVID-19 crisis? And for those who have been badly hit, what can owners do to jumpstart their recovery? 

There should be work-life balance and also community space. New township developments should be out of central business districts and nearer to their homes to reduce unproductive travelling time. New developments should have integrated and more encompassing facilities like child and medical care, and it’s also important to have unit functionalities, such as provision of extra space for study/work space for hybrid work models. 

What are the challenges and opportunities for property developers during the pandemic? 

Challenges with increased cost and shortage in labour and materials and imposition of timeline and duties by the government Use of advancement in technology like prefabrication and efficient use of manpower and for investors to spread out the risk and diversify on different classes of real assets    

Which trends will define the real estate industry in the years to come? 

ESG development (Environmental, Social and Governance) as the developed world is moving toward a delicate climate world. Integrated development whereby the development is no simply blocks of residential units so that in the post COVID era, travelling time is minimise and all activities within reach and at the same time incorporate space for studies and work from home, which is the new norm in the work environment    

Do you think technology has an enormous potential to disrupt the real estate industry in a significant way? If yes, what steps could be taken to lessen its negative impact? 

Yes, the way construction is managed with less labour intensive constructions and Green financing which would ultimately affect the way construction is carried out and the product of the scheme. I believe that moving forward with technological advancement is the new way of live     

What do you think is the future of real estate in Asia and the world? 

As the population moves into the city, the challenges facing Asia is sustainability going hand in hand with the growth and urban planning with more reliance on technology and connectivity (such as between home and office etc)