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Real Conversations, Real Estate

During a time of great uncertainty and rapid change, connection and information is a more important resource than ever before. Today's issues could be amplified or altered in a matter of days or hours, so it is vital that organizations and thought leaders frequently share knowledge, dispel rumors, and offer insight.

Hosted by Professor and Lusk Center Director Richard K. Green, Lusk Perspectives offers timely analysis and shares accurate data vetted by leading experts on the latest developments and observations concerning policy, real estate, urban economics and more.

Once interviews are conducted, resources and videos will be made available here and on podcast channels as soon as possible.

Latest Perspectives

Cities Are Still The Places To Be: What’s Working in California Watch Now

Cities Are Still The Places To Be: What’s Working in California
Sean Burton Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

What’s driving the uneven recovery at the core of California cities, and how is that impacting housing and investment?

Sean Burton (Cityview) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) discussing the forces and fundamentals reshaping urban markets. The conversation moves from post-pandemic population shifts and the surge in AI-driven demand to the regulatory dynamics influencing Southern California development.

Highlights include:

  • Why San Francisco may be turning a corner, and whether an AI boom can sustain it.
  • How concerns about regulatory risk have chilled investor sentiment in the City of Los Angeles.
  • Where supply–demand imbalances are creating long-term opportunities.
  • What San Diego got right to accelerate permitting and development.
  • The latest progress in rebuilding after the LA County wildfires.

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The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform Watch Now

The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform
Shane Phillips Housing Initiative Project Manager

California’s recent wave of pro-housing legislation has opened the door for more development on single-family lots and urban infill sites, but how much progress have we really made?

Shane Phillips (UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to trace California’s evolving policy landscape, from accessory dwelling units to long-overdue CEQA reform.

The conversation moves from the success of recent ADU regulations to the barriers slowing smaller-scale infill and condo development. Cost structures, ownership models, and building standards all shape housing supply. Phillips and Green discuss how policy could better balance affordability, density, and quality of life across Southern California.

Highlights include:

  • Why recent ADU laws succeeded where earlier reforms fell short.
  • Potential condo liability reforms to encourage smaller-scale housing ownership.
  • How construction costs constrain “missing middle” infill.
  • The trade-offs of eliminating single-room occupancy housing in US cities.
  • How ownership models shape neighborhood attitudes and investment.

UCLA Housing Voice Podcast

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From Clicks to Bricks: The Everyday Decisions Rebuilding Retail Watch Now

From Clicks to Bricks: The Everyday Decisions Rebuilding Retail
Rachel Elias Wein Founder and CEO

How are retailers adapting to a changing consumer base and evolving real estate needs?

Rachel Elias Wein (WeinPlus) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to explore what’s next for retail. From data centers to neighborhood shopping centers, consumer behavior is driving change. The conversation spotlights how ownership models, store management, and customer habits are reshaping commercial property strategy.

Highlights include:

  • Why some retailers sell off their real estate while others buy it back.
  • How energy access impacts location strategy.
  • What restaurants bring to retail destinations despite tenant turnover risks.
  • The strong link between store-manager tenure and store profitability.
  • Why omnichannel customers are the most valuable, and how real estate plays a role in retention.

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