Therefore, the aforementioned parties annually monitor the development of the number of students and the corresponding housing demand and supply. “Good student housing is important, and we invest in it. For now and for the future,” says Bart van As (Director of Idealis).
Results
Currently, there are no shortages of student rooms, but the research indicates that shortages may arise by 2029. This shortage is largely caused by the phasing out of temporary student housing units in Wageningen in the coming years. This includes the temporary units in the educational buildings on the Dreijen, the units on the Haarweg, and the temporary units of Idealis on the Nieuwe Kanaal.
Possible Solutions
To maintain the supply of student housing, possibilities for densification around Idealis complexes and new locations for student housing are being considered. Another option is to extend the temporary units on the Nieuwe Kanaal. According to the draft vision, suitable potential locations for student housing include areas around the Haarweg and the campus. Additionally, it is being investigated whether locations in Ede are suitable for student housing. Bart van As indicates that he looks forward to working with the municipality to address the student housing shortage: “At Idealis, we know very well what the quality of student housing should meet for future generations. We know the student like no other, and all our decisions are made with the intention of doing good for the city.”
A Different Quality, for a Different Future
We focus on our core task of housing students. Additionally, during the upcoming planning period (2023 – 2026), we will explore with our partners what Idealis can mean for the youth target group. We will examine the wishes and expectations of this target group and what Idealis can and wants to mean for them. In this area, there may also be additional opportunities for the development of student and youth housing in the city. Anne Janssen, Alderman for Housing, Municipality of Wageningen: “Together with Idealis and WUR, we have been working hard for years to meet the current and future housing needs of students in Wageningen. We are pleased that Idealis also plans to explore the possibilities of housing for young people.”
“I hope that Idealis, in its role as a full-fledged partner in student housing, together with the Municipality of Wageningen, WUR, and the Municipality of Ede, can balance the monitor from 2029 onwards. Keeping in mind that meeting, sustainability, and affordability are the keywords for the future of student housing in Wageningen,” says Bart van As.
