The City of Asheville will host an Advisory Services Panel from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to provide recommendations on strategies for post-disaster economic recovery and long-term resiliency. The ULI panel, composed of national real estate and land use experts, will be in Asheville for a week-long intensive study.
ULI is a global non-profit research and education organization focused on best practices in real estate development and land use, known for providing objective, third-party expertise. Their Advisory Services Panels bring together leading national experts in fields such as disaster recovery funding, urban design, climate change resilience, and infill development. This assistance, valued at approximately $150,000, is being sponsored by the ULI Foundation, demonstrating national support for Asheville’s recovery efforts.
“We are incredibly grateful for ULI’s support and the invaluable expertise their panel will bring to Asheville,” said Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager. “This partnership represents a proactive step in our recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene and our commitment to building a more resilient future. The insights from these national experts will be crucial as we develop strategies to prepare our commercial districts for future disasters, foster a more resilient workforce and diverse economy, and improve land use approaches in our floodplains.”
Residents and stakeholders are invited to engage with the ULI panel later this month. A community meet and greet will be held on July 28 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the lobby at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The panel will also share their recommendations with the public at a special presentation and live Q&A session on August 1, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall. The panel presentation will also be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel.
View the ULI Economic Recovery and Resilience Briefing Book (July 2025).
A final ULI report will be published on ashevillerecovers.org later this year.