Shutts & Bowen LLP West Palm Beach Partner Harvey E. Oyer III spoke at the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2026 Fall Meeting in Miami on October 27. Harvey joined industry leaders for the panel discussion, “Thriving Downtowns: Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach,” which explored the opportunities and challenges shaping South Florida’s urban centers.
The session brought together experts in real estate, urban development, and downtown leadership to examine how Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are evolving amid population growth, infrastructure demands, climate resilience considerations and changing market preferences. Panelists discussed the role of public-private partnerships, mixed-use development, housing, mobility and placemaking in creating vibrant, sustainable and economically resilient downtown districts.
The discussion also explored strategies for attracting investment, residents and visitors while preserving the distinctive character of each community. By comparing the three markets, the session highlighted development approaches and best practices that can help shape thriving urban centers throughout Florida and beyond.
The ULI Fall Meeting brings together real estate and land use professionals to exchange insights, explore emerging trends and discuss solutions to the challenges facing cities and communities.
About Harvey E. Oyer III
Harvey E. Oyer III is a partner in the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Land Use Practice Group. As a fifth generation native of Palm Beach County, Harvey brings a unique perspective to his understanding of the issues facing the region, its real estate market and development. He is one of the region’s leading land use & zoning lawyers, having led the approval of many of the county’s largest and most iconic projects and having represented many of the most prominent names in the industry. Clients he represents include commercial and residential developers, cultural institutions, and large farming interests in real estate transactions, finance, land use, zoning, agricultural law, and government affairs.