MSRED Course Takes Students on Fast Track to China
May-June 2007
In a whirlwind tour of one of the world's new economic superpowers, students at the MIT Center for Real Estate are currently visiting China for an unforgettable look at the country's booming real estate market.
Nineteen students in the Center's MSRED program are now on a 12-day trip through four of China's most dynamic cities -- Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing -- as part of a three-credit course on "Special Studies in Real Estate Development." The trip is the Center's first student trip to China, and runs from May 27th to June 8th.
Led by MIT/CRE Professor Tony Ciochetti, who conceived and organized the course, students are touring Chinese projects, companies, and universities to meet with investors, entrepreneurs, developers, professors, and other students to learn firsthand how innovation is fueling the Asian markets.
Analysts agree that China's developing economy offers tremendous potential for growth and return. MIT/CRE students are gaining a rare insider's look at major players in Chinese real estate, and are establishing professional ties that could prove to be immensely rewarding.
Highlights include tours and presentations with MIT/CRE partners Hang Lung Properties, ZK Group, Beijing Capital Land, and AMB, as well as Hong Kong University, Jones Lang LaSalle, JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific), and Merrill Lynch.
Students are also deepening their understanding of Chinese culture and history with tours of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tian'an Men Square, and seats at the Beijing Opera.
As the travelogue below illustrates, the course offers little time to relax. But students are gaining an unparalleled look at how Chinese real estate markets are helping to drive the country's economic engine.
The trip is being sponsored by Hang Lung Properties, ZK Group, Beijing Capital Land, and AMB. Prior to the trip, and as a requirement for receiving academic credit, students researched and made presentations on all the companies that they would visit, as well as on the companies that would host the group in China.
On their return, students will provide an in-depth presentation on the entire trip to fellow students, faculty and staff.The presentation is scheduled for 12 noon on Wednesday, June 20 (currently, in the Center's conference room).
*********** Itinerary ***********
May 27 (Sunday) - Hong Kong
Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong
Professor Ciochetti gives Hong Kong overview
Hong Kong University (HKU)
Presentation and tour
HKU Presentations at Kam Boat Restaurant
Video of HKU; presentation about current Hong Kong markets, by Edward Yiu; introduction to the HKU's MSc program, by Dr. SW Poon; Sharing MIT experience: MIT students' impromptu talk
HKU Campus Tour
Campus tour and group photos
Hong Kong City Tour
Visit Western Kowloon, Central, and Wanchai
Dinner at Wanchai
Meet and dine with department heads and students
***********************************
May 28 (Monday) - Hong Kong
Jones Lang LaSalle
Presentation
Hang Lung Properties
Presentation and lunch
Kerry Properties
Presentation and site tour
Walt Disney Imagineering – Hong Kong
Presentation and park tour
***********************************
May 29 (Tuesday) - Hong Kong & Shenzhen
JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific)
Presentation
Merrill Lynch
Presentation and lunch
Travel to Shenzhen
By Train
***********************************
May 30 (Wednesday) - Shenzhen/Shanghai
Vanke Headquarters
Project tour; presentation with management team; presentation with research and development team; photos
IBM
Presentation and tour
Hitachi Global Storage
Tour
Travel to Shanghai
By air
***********************************
May 31 (Thursday) - Shanghai
ZK Group Headquarters
Meet and greet with ZK Group team; Professor Ciochetti gives Shanghai overview
Hines Shanghai Office
Lecture: VP of Hines will introduce the company's Shanghai project
Shanghai City Planning Museum
Tour
Xin Tian Di
Dinner hosted by ZK Group
Dinner at Cai Die Xuan, Xin Tian Di
***********************************
June 1 (Friday) - Shanghai
Visit City of Su Zhou
Tour and lunch
Asia Pacific Land
Presentation
Hang Lung Properties
Presentation; dinner hosted by Hang Lung
***********************************
June 2 (Saturday) - Shanghai
AMB
Presentation
Bao Li (local developer)
Lunch hosted by Tony Ciochetti; discussion of Zheng Da Square, Pudong
See Pudong
Visit this new area of Shanghai
***********************************
June 3 (Sunday) - Shanghai/Beijing
Travel to Beijing
By air
***********************************
Monday, June 4 - Beijing
Beijing Capital Land Headquarters
Meet and greet; Professor Ciochetti presents Beijing overview
Jones Lang LaSalle
Presentation on hotel sector in China and Beijing; Lunch hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle
Planning Exhibition Center
Overview of the planning of Beijing and of the Olympic Site; comprehensive exhibition of the past and future development of the Beijing
Upper East Side
Beijing Capital Land project tour; afternoon tea with the development team
Liqun Duck Dinner hosted by Beijing Capital Land
The best Beijing Roast Duck in town!
***********************************
June 5 (Tuesday) - Beijing
Hines - Beijing
Project tour; afternoon tea with the development team
Hines – Park Avenue
Project tour of the only Hines residential project in Beijing
Hines – Embassy House
Service apartment
Cultural Tour
- Tian’an Men Square tour with guide;
- Forbidden City tour with guide;
- Visit to Wang Fuji, a popular shopping area
Dinner hosted by Beijing Capital Land
Dim sum and snacks
China Planning Network Real Estate Club
Reception at Chungkong Business School; meeting with CPN club members and others interested in MIT/CRE
***********************************
June 6 (Wednesday) - Beijing
Tsinghua University
Meeting with Tsinghua professors and students
Great Wall
Tour of this great wonder of the world
Merrill Lynch
Presentation with Greg Peng; Lao Han Zi Dinner hosted by Merrill Lynch (authentic Ke Jia Minority Cuisine)
Hou Hai Area
Visit popular Beijing attraction - offers lots of restaurants and evening boat rides
***********************************
June 7 (Thursday) - Beijing
Olympic Preparation Committee
Presentation on preparation work for Beijing 2008 Olympics
Olympic Village Model Center
View models of Olympic facilities
Warburg Pincus
Presentation and lunch
Beijing Capital Land
Farewell dinner at The Zen, hosted by BCL
Qianmen Hotel / Liyuan Opera House
See theatrical production by the Beijing Opera
