Online PhD defence Minyi Hu

Keywords: Real Estate Finance, Sustainability, Tenant Satisfaction, Building Performance

"Real Estate Revisited: How People Shape the Future of Workspace"

This PhD thesis examines how sustainability and tenant experience influence the performance of commercial real estate. Using large datasets on office buildings—including tenant satisfaction surveys, sustainability certifications, mobility data, and operating performance—it explores how people’s perceptions and behaviors shape property outcomes. The research finds that buildings with higher tenant satisfaction achieve better retention and income stability, while those with sustainable or healthy certifications attract more employee visits and recover faster after the COVID-19 pandemic. By combining insights from finance, sustainability, and urban economics, the thesis provides evidence that human-centered and environmentally responsible management practices not only improve workplace well-being but also enhance the long-term economic resilience of office properties.

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