Daniel Steffen

Daniel Steffen serves as Professor and Co-Head of the Master of Science in Real Estate (MScRE) program at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), School of Business, within the Institute for Financial Services Zug (IFZ) Center for Real Estate. His academic leadership spans real estate economics, data-driven decision making, and sustainable market analysis, with significant contributions to Swiss housing policy discourse.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Economics (2016-2020) from University of Bern, focusing on causal data analysis in real estate and development economics
• MSc in Economics (2014-2016) from University of Bern & Universidad Carlos III Madrid
• BSc in Economics with Philosophy minor (2010-2013) from University of Bern

Steffen's research centers on real estate market dynamics, examining housing affordability, regulatory impacts, and sustainable investment transitions. His work integrates causal inference methodologies with practical industry challenges, particularly in Swiss urban contexts. Key themes include tokenized real estate investments, demographic change effects, and climate transition risks in property markets, bridging academic rigor with policy relevance through the IFZ research ecosystem.

His publication trends reveal a strategic shift toward transitional real estate challenges, with increasing focus on sustainability metrics, climate risk integration, and housing policy evaluation since 2022. While maintaining strong foundations in housing market analysis, recent work expands into educational economics through field experiments in developing contexts, demonstrating methodological versatility across economic subfields.

Through IFZ research projects including the Sustainable Lending Monitor, Rental Apartment Demand Monitor, and Digitalization Barometer, Steffen drives evidence-based industry insights. His advisory role in MScRE program development shapes next-generation real estate professionals, while industry presentations translate complex research into actionable market intelligence for stakeholders across Switzerland's financial and property sectors.