Construction of student housing at Toepad put on hold

The construction of more than three hundred student housing units at Toepad has been postponed. According to the developer, the building costs will become too high due to ‘additional requirements from the municipality’. It also turned out that the construction site is a habitat for protected stone martens.

Housing corporation Woonstad Rotterdam had planned to start building the flexible housing units this year. These are homes that are pre-assembled in a factory and then completed on-site. Each unit has its own kitchen, toilet and bathroom and is approximately 18 square metres in size. Only one student is allowed to live in each unit. The complex at Toepad, located to the southeast of campus, was set to be completed in 2026.

Soft soil

The municipality’s requirements have increased construction costs. For example, the soil at the site is too soft, which means additional costs for the foundation. The municipality also requires measures to reduce noise pollution. “The reason we use flexible housing is so we can build quickly, but then the municipality also needs to take a flexible approach when it comes to building regulations”, explains Woonstad spokesperson Kevin van Eikeren. The municipality, for instance, demands larger parking spaces for cars and cargo bikes. “Even though the average student doesn’t use either.”

Stone martens

The site also turned out to be a habitat for stone martens. It’s not allowed to capture or chase away these protected mammals. Woonstad hasn’t been informed yet about the measures it needs to take to protect the animals.

According to Van Eikeren, the housing corporation wants to start construction as soon as possible. “We regret the delay, but it’s even worse for students looking for housing. We receive calls from them every day, they’re desperate and eager to sign up for a place”, he says.

Shortage of student housing

Woonstad doesn’t know yet when the project will resume, says Van Eikeren. However, it won’t be this year anymore.

There is a severe shortage of student housing in Rotterdam. According to the 2023 National Student Housing Monitor, the average waiting time for a room is sixteen months, whereas in 2018 it was just ten months. Students in Rotterdam also pay the highest average rent in the Netherlands.