The potential for commercial real estate investment and development puts Greater Des Moines fourth on a list of emerging markets in the Midwest and 39th in the nation, according to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the Urban Land Institute, which team up every year to conduct focus groups, run surveys and interview experts in markets across the country for a publication called Emerging Trends in Real Estate. “In addition to comparatively low living costs and a high quality of life, Midwest markets outside of Chicago also are benefiting from increased interest in urbanization: Cincinnati, Columbus, Des Moines, and Omaha report increased residential and commercial development activity in the urban core. In addition, the economies in the Midwest region are diversifying, seeing growth from the technology, health services, and distribution industries,” according to the report, which also notes that Des Moines is among Midwestern cities where the move of young people into the urban core is driving economic activity. The region also is among those experiencing benefits from technology hubs that are supporting existing businesses and putting in place the pieces for new business development, according to the report. Read the report here.