Urban Campus Impact Report 2024
It’s that time of year again!
We are thrilled to present our 2024 Urban Campus Impact Report!
Each year, we summarize our key achievements in an annual Impact Report, highlighting improvements in coliver satisfaction, changes in our client base, and our continued geographic and product expansion. Let’s take a look at the significant milestones we achieved this past year.
Urban Campus: Growth & Innovation
Just in case you’re new here, let’s do a quick catch-up.
Founded in 2016 in Paris, Urban Campus was born from a vision to redefine urban living, emphasizing community, convenience, and innovation. Our journey goes a little something like this:
- 2018: Inauguration of our first coliving space in Spain
- 2023: Expansion to 10 operational sites across Spain and France
- 2024: Over 30 projects currently in development across Europe, a testament to our original commitment of revolutionizing urban living on a large-scale.
Demographics: Our Diverse Community
Our coliving spaces remain popular amongst young professionals, attracting a diverse group of residents:
Average Age: 35 years old, consistent with previous years.
Living Arrangements:
- 87% of our tenants now live alone, which represents a +14% increase in solo living preferences compared last year.
Resident Demographics:
- International residents: 49%
- National residents: 51%
- This nearly even split enriches our communities with diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Professional Backgrounds:
- Company employees: 71%
- Entrepreneurs: 6%
- Freelancers: 6%
- Other: 17%
- These figures highlight the varied professional landscapes of our residents.
Convenience and Community
The primary appeal of Urban Campus lies in our flexible leases and all-inclusive services, with fully furnished, ready-to-move-in units. This hassle-free approach has greatly attracted residents, with 86% reporting increased happiness and 70% enjoying a healthier lifestyle post-move-in. Moreover, 60% of our residents envision continuing their journey with us into future life stages.
- #1 Reason to Choose Urban Campus: Convenience
- #2 Reason to Choose Urban Campus: Community
Community: The Heart of Urban Campus
Community remains a cornerstone of the Urban Campus experience, with 92% of residents participating in monthly events and 73% experiencing increased social interactions. Our efforts to nurture this community spirit include robust onboarding for campus managers and leveraging modern technology to enhance resident interactions and feedback. These initiatives have led to a 20% increase in resident-led activities and improved satisfaction rates.
What does the Urban Campus community embody?
At the heart of our community are the diverse and vibrant Urban Campus events, designed to foster connections and enrich the coliving experience. We also empower our colivers to take the lead by providing them with the resources and budget necessary to launch their own clubs and initiatives. Examples include the UC Madrid Horseback Riding Club and the Women’s Circle Empowerment Club. Additionally, we have dedicated Campus Managers in each of our cities who organize official UC events, from magic shows and cocktail nights to private concerts.
Community Across Our Cities
In cities with multiple coliving spaces, such as Madrid, Spain, and Lille, France, our community extends beyond individual buildings. We connect all Urban Campus colivers within the city, creating a broad, integrated network that enhances the sense of belonging and community engagement for everyone involved.
Sustainability: A Core Principle
Sustainability and environmental responsibility remain at the core of everything we do.
Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our approach to refurbishing old buildings and employing sustainable construction practices. Some highlights in the past year include:
- BREEAM Certifications: Our Ayora, Valencia, and Mellado, Madrid Colivings are both proud holders of the BREEAM certification. BREEAM is a leading global sustainability assessment method, setting the standard for best practices in sustainable building design, construction, and operation.
- Passivhaus Certification: Our upcoming Cuatro Caminos #2 coliving in Madrid is being constructed according to the rigorous Passivhaus standard. This internationally recognized certification ensures buildings meet strict energy efficiency criteria, significantly reducing their ecological footprint while providing superior comfort and indoor air quality for residents.
- Carbon Neutrality: The Cuatro Caminos #2 Coliving will also be our inaugural “Carbon Neutral” building. This milestone is achieved through the strategic acquisition of certified carbon credits, demonstrating our proactive approach to combating climate change and our dedication to achieving sustainability goals across our properties.
Looking Ahead: Expansion Beyond Coliving
As Urban Campus evolves, we are diversifying beyond coliving with new concepts and housing solutions.
Flex Living in Spain
We are exploring opportunities for “Flex Living” in Spain. In the first half of 2023 alone, Flex Living secured the second-highest investment volume in the living segments market, totaling a staggering €240 million. This model is similar to coliving, offering flexible lease terms and adaptable living spaces but with more frequent resident rotation.
Affordable Housing in France
In France, we’re implementing Affordable Multifamily housing solutions that combine cost-effectiveness with our core values of community and sustainability. These developments feature modern amenities and designs that support a community-focused lifestyle while addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in France. Our first projects will take place in Le Bourget and Colombes, in partnership with in’li.
That’s a Wrap!
The 2024 Impact Report not only reflects Urban Campus’s growth and innovation but also reinforces our commitment to our core values of enhancing urban living through community and sustainability. As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunities to deepen our impact and continue providing exceptional living experiences for our diverse, vibrant community of residents.
