Shared Spaces in Campus Real Estate

Abstract

Purpose. Dutch universities must cope with evolving demand when aligning their real estate, facing uncertainty due to dynamic trends and a relatively static portfolio. The result is a strategy moving towards a resilient, shared and centralised campus, emphasising multi-purpose spaces. This shift involves shared building use, a strategy of creating generic spaces accessible to a diverse range of internal (and external) users. A building is shared when a majority of its useful space is generic, not assigned to a specific individual or group of individuals and often adaptable to fit multiple users in the short and long term. Despite identifying general trends, the reasons and functionality behind the increased use of shared spaces remain unclear in current literature. Moreover, there is a noticeable absence in literature of an uniformly acknowledged definition and term that adequately encapsulates the characteristics of facilities described as ‘shared’. This research aims to analyse the motivations driving this integration, establish a precise understanding of this particular approach to facility use and identify essential stakeholder requirements for practical use. Grasping the forces behind, the proces for and the effects of this trend is crucial for evaluating both positive and negative aspects of shared spaces on campus, contributing to achieving university real estate goals.

Research approach. The primary objective of this research is to study how shared spaces can be used to support and advance university real estate objectives. Therefore, the main question is: How do shared spaces on the university campus align with organisational, functional, financial and physical real estate objectives? This study will apply a case-study research approach to find an answer to the main question. First, desk research will be focussed on exploring the field of shared building use. Then, with the outcomes of desk research as a starting point, case-study research will be used to better understand a select number of cases within the field. The case studies aim to get comprehensive insights by analysing various perspectives and establishing KPIs. The methods used to study cases include literature study, interviews, existing data analysis and usage data analysis. The goal is to deliver a thorough theoretical background, a case overview for reference projects, detailed information on specific cases and a cross-case analysis.

Results. The cross-case analysis shows that financial constraints and the need for physical efficiency encourage universities to shift towards shared spaces. This shift is supported by functional and organisational demands, creating generic, versatile spaces that facilitate various activities. This approach can meet the diverse needs of users for flexibility and comfort while aligning with institutional goals of resource optimisation, organisational resilience and financial risk mitigation. The study emphasises the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement and integrated governance in ensuring shared spaces effectively meet university and user needs in a dynamic campus context.

Discussion. The research shows the complex interconnectedness of public values, trends and motivations concerning integrating shared spaces on campus. However, limitations are acknowledged, such as a focus on a select number of universities and reliance on qualitative data. Therefore, further studies examining shared spaces across educational and societal settings are suggested. Moreover, this thesis expands the theoretical understanding of campus management and offers practical insights for better campus planning, including shared spaces. For practitioners, the results stress the importance of adopting shared spaces for the future viability of Dutch university campuses, emphasising a shift towards sharing and collaboration. Laslty, campus managers are provided with practical insights and best practices from various contexts to support diverse stakeholder needs and institutional objectives.