Assael partners with Conscious Coliving for first research-backed article
As partners of the #WhyCoLiving? campaign, new research-backed findings show that co-living can be a catalyst for urban regeneration.
Last year, Director Tim Chapman-Cavanagh and Associate Director Ed Sharland joined industry partners in supporting Conscious Coliving’s #WhyColiving campaign, which informs industry leaders about the benefits of shared living. After touring Folk at Florence Dock last week and reviewing key findings presented by Penny and Matt from Conscious Coliving, the first research-backed article has been released.
‘Co-living: A Catalyst for Urban Regeneration’, argues that co-living is an in-demand and modern form of housing that can contribute significantly to urban regeneration.
Since 2015, co-living has been growing in the UK and globally, particularly in cities facing housing affordability challenges, providing young professionals with secure, reliable, and flexible living options.
Key findings from the article suggest that co-living supports social regeneration and enhances community well-being, contributing to healthier, happier neighbourhoods. This is demonstrated by how co-living helps revitalise local areas – providing spaces, resources, and events for communities, supporting affordable housing through discounted rentals or local authority contributions, attracting urban professionals for long-term residency, and creating quality local jobs.
Additionally, co-living strengthens social connection and resident well-being by hosting events that engage local communities and offer volunteering opportunities, designing inviting communal spaces that encourage natural interactions, and empowering resident-facing staff to support social engagement, well-being, and safety.
The article also addresses common misconceptions about co-living, particularly the belief that residents are primarily students and that these schemes lead to overdeveloped areas. Research shows that 72% of residents are aged 26-40, which is above the typical age for students. Additionally, co-living minimises local impact through high-density layouts that primarily model single-occupancy units, unlike traditional residential schemes with mixed unit sizes. In fact, with extensive amenities and social opportunities, co-living developments contribute positively to the cultural and social makeup of local areas.
The article highlights two of Assael’s schemes, Sunday Mills and Florence Dock, revealing how effective management can enhance engagement with local community partners by utilising in-house spaces and resources. In fact, community building and social interaction are central to these developments.
The team at Conscious Coliving have done an excellent job presenting their findings, using survey data, local statistics, case studies, and resident quotes to illustrate how co-living supports urban regeneration.
To read the full research article, visit their website here:
Thank you to the Conscious Coliving team and fellow partners Bridges Fund Management Ltd., HUB, Shoosmiths, The Furniture Practice, urbanbubble, VervLife, The British Property Federation, Cascade and CBRE for supporting the development of this research.
We’re excited to see how the next stage unfolds in the coming months.
Photography taken by Follow Films @followfilmsuk