World Valuation Congress report

Citation

(2000), "World Valuation Congress report", Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/jpif.2000.11218bac.001

World Valuation Congress report

World Valuation Congress report

The eighth World Valuation Congress was held in Melbourne, Australia, from 18-22 April 1999. RMIT University hosted it, with the theme "Current values and future prospects". One hundred and twenty delegates, representing 23 countries attended it. The format was similar to preceding events: three days of formal conference proceedings, then a technical tour on the final day. The formal conference consisted of two morning plenary sessions each day, afternoon group discussions, and presentation of workshop papers by delegates.

As with the preceding congresses, there was enormous benefit to be had from meeting the delegates, and discussing the practical problems attaching to the profession globally. The format encourages this, and there were ample opportunities to participate in social activities after the days' proceedings had finished. Melbourne has been voted "The most livable city in the world" and the generally good autumn weather ensured that visitors saw it at its best. The congress itself was held in the old world charm of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons buildings situated in the leafy parklands adjacent to the central business district.

The congress was opened by the Minister for Planning and Local Government in the State of Victoria, the Honorable Robert Maclellan, and the Vice Chancellor of RMIT University, Professor David Beanland. Reading University's Professor Neil Crosby delivered the keynote plenary. His address was entitled "Valuation accuracy, variation and bias in the context of standards and expectations". The following plenary sessions dealt with litigation, valuation standards, technology and valuation practice, the Asian economic meltdown and changes to rating in South Africa.

The workshop papers provided delegates with a rich assortment of topics. These were run as parallel sessions, and the problem for many was which session to attend. Selected plenary and workshop papers are published in this issue. The full proceedings can be obtained from RMIT University by contacting the congress director, Mr John Leigh at john.leigh@rmit.edu.au. A charge to cover printing and postage applies.

There was a choice of two technical tours, with the main one examining city property and development. The Victorian Division of the Australian Property Institute hosted this. The second tour looked at developments in the Melbourne region, concentrating on tourism. Both provided excellent opportunities to discover more about the Melbourne market, and this was ably assisted by a detailed infosheet prepared by undergraduate property students at RMIT University for the Congress delegates.

The National University of Singapore will host the next congress event, World Valuation Congress IX, in mid-2001. Full details of that congress will be advised in due course. If you wish to be placed on the mailing list contact james.baxter@rmit.edu.au