With the building of Troja – AF Bostäder’s biggest construction start since the 1960s and the last quarter in the expansion along Kämnärsvägen – one of Sweden's most significant investments in sustainable student housing will reach the finishing line. In parallel, planning is underway for continued expansion, in careful balance with the housing needs of Lund students.
“Troja means that we are approaching the highly anticipated finale of our densification of the area at Kämnärsvägen,” says Martin Jacobsson, Property Development Manager at AF Bostäder. “The Proto, Sagoeken, Hippocampus and Pireus quarters are already full of student life and Rhodos is almost ready for students to move in. A dynamic and social city district has grown up, pleasantly connected by Campuskilen, which offers pedestrian and cycle paths and green spaces for socialising.”
“The area is one of Sweden’s biggest investments in sustainable student housing and it is characterised by all our visions for sustainability, from climate impact calculations, more efficient energy usage, sound materials and biodiversity to a living environment that supports studies, enjoyment and wellbeing,” says Martin Jacobsson. “The expansion has meant the divestment and acquisition of properties as well as demolition and new construction. When Troja has been completed, we will have created 1 200 new apartments and rooms and increased our total by 500. We have modernised and enhanced our range, reduced our maintenance costs and strengthened our financial solidity.”
Troja will consist of two courtyards framed by seven 3-6 storey buildings with a combined living area of 12 000 m2. In total, the quarter will offer 312 apartments for up to 500 students, divided between one-bedroom units and multiple-bedroom units for 2-3 friends. Many students will have their own balconies, the larger apartments will be equipped with dishwashers and the quarter will also have a bicycle repair room. Construction is scheduled to start in 2024 with completion expected in 2026.
“Troja will be our greenest and most natural area to date,” says Martin Jacobsson. “We minimise the amount of paved surfaces and focus on wild meadow areas, gravel paths, wooden walkways and barbecue places with wood decking, all with an aim to promote animal and insect life and better management of rainwater. A large number of Kämnärsrätten’s mature trees and bushes will be retained. Energy consumption will be 80% of the new construction requirements and due to factors such as optimised, cast-in-place concrete, the CO2 emissions for construction are under 155 kilos carbon dioxide equivalents per gross floor area. It will be a worthy finale for an area that will become a positive and forward-looking part of Lund’s student life for many years to come.”
Supply and demand regarding student housing in Lund is currently well balanced. AF Bostäder can meet most of its customers’ housing needs, and in general newly registered students obtain their own accommodation within a few months. At the same time, it is important to have a long-term perspective and plan to meet demand for several years ahead. A large part of the new construction in Lund in recent years is not devoted to students and will gradually disappear from the student market.
“At the moment we are involved in, among other things, a new zoning plan for Ulrikedal, where we aim to construct a new apartment block for around 100 students,” says Martin Jacobsson. “The plan is to develop a piece of land north of Ulrikedal into a 12-storey building with around 60 apartments. If everything goes to plan, it will be AF Bostäder’s tallest building to date.”
“Looking ahead, the big challenge is to find building rights in places that match the students’ needs. We maintain a continuous dialogue with the university, student organisations, the City of Lund and private housing companies, so that we can continue our expansion and contribute to a sustainable, stable and balanced student housing market in Lund,” says Martin Jacobsson.
Latest update June 24, 2024