AF Bostäder is a creator of the built environment and wants to shape long-term sustainable city districts, where students and Lund residents can have a good future.
AF Bostäder is a foundation tasked to provide inexpensive and fit-for-purpose housing for students at Lund University. It is equally important that good student housing is provided.
“Student housing must be attractive, i.e. inexpensive, designed especially for students and have a good location,” says Henrik Krantz, CEO of AF Bostäder. “Those who invest in fast solutions lack an understanding of students as a customer group and ignore the value of the housing in attracting motivated people who want to study.”
AF Bostäder considers that its mission is to contribute to Lund’s development, strengthen the Lund brand as a university city, and create conditions so that as many people as possible can – and want to – study at Lund University.
“Access to higher education is crucial if Sweden is to continue to be a strong industrial nation,” states Henrik Krantz. “In the long term, good student housing means an increased power of attraction, better performance and ultimately a higher throughput at the university.”
AF Bostäder shapes city districts that unite student life and city life. A good example is the rebuilding of Kämnärsrätten. A primary school has been located in one of the areas and a large meeting place has been created for the renewed district, a green space with scope for activities. It is a place where tenants, friends, visitors and Lund residents can cycle, walk, take a break, hang out, sunbathe and socialise together.
“Those who want to have a living city with stable districts make the right decision by investing in students as a part of city planning,” says Henrik Krantz. “Students are young, active people with goals and ambitions – good role models. The positive force is constant, as there is always an inflow of new students. The students contribute to a livelier, more dynamic and safer city, and are an attractive target group for many businesses, which stimulates an increased range of services in the local area.”
As a foundation, AF Bostäder has a considerable responsibility to administer its assets with care and conduct thorough risk assessments. At the same time, the company must think and act with the market in mind.
“Having a market perspective is self-evident. We must give ourselves the opportunity to be able to start and drive initiatives, and to be a strong partner. A strong business gives us greater room for manoeuvre and action in the long term. As a foundation, we have no time horizon and there is no exit. As long as Lund University is here, we will be here continuing to act in the best interests of Lund as a student city,” concludes Henrik Krantz.
Latest update June 7, 2018