The Class of 2020 Foundation has released its inaugural 'Trend Report 2020' during its student housing & co-living conference in Berlin. Titled 'Blended Living,' the conference brought together around 800 industry experts, city government and higher education institution officials to discuss the challenges and opportunities that 'blurring boundaries' create for the future of living, working and learning.
University cities are predicted to be transformed by the co-revolution. Single-purpose real estate for students and young talent are expected to become integrated into mixed-use developments with flexible accommodation and public uses, catering to a wide range of talent. From Berlin to London, New York City to Shanghai, micro-housing, co-living, and coworking are dominating discussions around transformations in the way of living, working and learning globally.
Looking ahead to the year 2020 and beyond, delegates shared the urgency, relevance and importance of finding new solutions as global housing crisis intensifies, especially in the urban districts. The conference highlighted community-based 'blend' as an innovation and a new phenomenon while identifying the key drivers influencing how students and young talent aspires to live, work and learn together.
"The established investment asset classes are now blending with new models," stated Ryan Manton, Programme Director of The Class 2020. "Coliving and hybrid concepts which are the examples of 'blended living' typologies', have proven to work and investors are ready to deploy significant amounts to counteract urban housing crisis."
"Blended living is the reality and it is all about community," added Charlie MacGregor, CEO and Founder of The Student Hotel. "We shouldn't really label a student, a young professional, or a hotel guest or an older person. They are all our guests. They are all welcome in our communities."
With almost 20 panel discussions throughout the day, held on three stages simultaneously, The Class Conference 2019 clustered multiple approaches to all the above challenges and opportunities into five key takeaways:
Experience vs. Ownership
There is a whole new generation of global citizens growing up in the new economy, where experience is valued over ownership.
No one size fits all
Operators and providers cannot copy-paste a successful model and expect it to work in another place. Each community is unique in its needs, wants, and demands.
Community is key
In the past, all that was needed for tenants was to have a roof over their heads. Now, they seek a like-minded community that fulfills their needs.
Reform outdated policies
Planning and building regulations need to adapt to encourage innovative solutions to the housing crisis - high-quality design and shared spaces enable more efficient use of buildings
Innovation and Tech-centered
Technology is not an add-on anymore but a full cycle driving force: from design and conceptualization to construction and maintenance.
The Class of 2020's Trend Report, which was released during the event, provides the most urgent, relevant and important insights into the housing crisis and possible solutions.
Photos: Courtesy of The Class of 2020 Foundation