Visions of the future as cities face up to the problems of overcrowding, Andy Towler reports for RICS Business.

There may be a global sense of cynicism over the property market at present, but this did not stop the world’s property professionals flocking to Cannes for the exhibition of the year.

The MIPIM extravaganza, held between 10 and 13 March, broke all previous attendance records, with more than 29,000 delegates – a 12 per cent rise on 2007.

While encouraging for the sector in general, MIPIM’s popularity has become a feature in itselt and not necessarily an attractive one.

It is practically impossible to see all of the exhibitors in the ever expanding plethora of halls, tents and venues.

Getting a taxi anywhere when each day’s festivities come to an end involves such a long wait that highly reputable businessmen transform into bargain hunters on sale day, fighting each other for a cab.

Continue reading in RICS Business May 2008.