Major trends

Climate change currently has and will have in the future an impact on the level of capital to be invested, operating costs and the speed of obsolescence of real estate assets.
Through its project 30³, aiming at reducing energy intensity of its portfolio by 30% by 2030, Cofinimmo intends to take up this challenge and thus sustain the value of its assets complying with the Paris Agreement. This project is the keystone to achieve the objective validated by the science based targets initiative.

Water is the foremost and most ancient element on earth, the one that contributes to the whole ecosystem existence, including human life and activities. While not limiting the attention to water consumption, the effects of climate change are demanding a re-think of strategy for sustainable water management, focusing on all the factors that make water such a complex and vital element for the entire ecosystem and life.

Through its agencies and projects, such as FAO and the UN Global Compact (CEO Water Mandate), the United Nations is promoting accurate information on water distress and water stewardship in order to ensure water security in different geographies of all the planet, which are experiencing water distress each one in their own way.

The real estate sector will be challenged by the dramatic effects of water distress, as it is part of the solution and needs to take a proactive approach on the issue. This can be represented by the 3 Rs applied to water management, namely reduce, reuse, recycle in order to promote water conservation.

From the risk of extreme events such as floods or extreme drought, real estate can first protect the environment and its assets by collecting data on water consumption and conducting analysis on ordinary and
extra-ordinary consumption, and act upon when required. In addition to improving data metering, concrete action involves putting the building itself at the centre of the solution : from permeable pavements to bioswales and green roofs, green infrastructure is one of the tools improving resources such as water.

The growing healthcare real estate segment has to meet the expectations of an ever-increasing section of the population. This means healthcare buildings which are more flexible in accordance with the degree of autonomy of individuals, combined with suitable housing.
Cofinimmo, through its healthcare real estate segment, aims to meet the needs of society, specifically: offering housing to the elderly, whether ill, disabled or in rehabilitation phase; creating mixed neighbourhoods where each function co-exists in harmony; promoting the accessibility of buildings to people with reduced mobility and developing safe buildings where it is pleasant to live.

According to the most recent studies of the European Commission - Joint Research Center (JRC) on the future of European cities , which applies a global people-based definition of cities and settlements in the form of urban functional area (UFA), the process we call growing urbanisation is in fact already happening, with 75 % of the world population currently living in urban areas. Moreover, JRC projections to 2030 show that most of European major cities will experience urban population growth as part of a continuous process of urbanisation.

Urbanisation represents a major challenge in terms of integrating populations of different origins, providing food and shelter for all, but also in terms of mobility, pollution management, connectivity, etc. This phenomenon has an impact on the way real estate is thought about. One of the consequences being, for example, the progressive decrease in the average housing size.

With an increased focus on health and safety, the COVID-19 coronavirus increased the need for lower density and more spacious environments, which will accelerate the growth of suburbs.

In the context of increasing urban population, pollution and the fight against GHG emissions, mobility is gradually being rethought.
Mobility is intended to be multimodal, flexible and scalable according to actual travel needs. Aware of this challenge, Cofinimmo multiplies its mobility initiatives by testing shared vehicle solutions and by setting up infrastructures for cyclists in its buildings.

The awareness of part of the society of the importance of limiting its carbon footprint, the search for a more efficient and reasoned use of physical and financial resources, lead an increasing number of people and companies to embrace the principles of the sharing economy. This approach provides users access to flexible solutions which are more in line with their rapidly changing needs and avoids certain investment costs.
Well aware of this issue, Cofinimmo is innovating by creating shared spaces such as those clients find in office buildings in the form of Lounge®, shared meeting rooms or Flex Corner®.

Aware of its impact during (re)development works, Cofinimmo seeks to select sustainable materials that can easily be recycled or, preferably, reused. This practice is in line with its reflection on the life cycle of its buildings. When buildings are demolished, the waste is also very strictly sorted. This is also the case in office buildings in operation, where every effort is made to promote sorting, and when possible, even going beyond legal requirements.

In the future, health and well-being will become more important factors in all areas of real estate. Through advanced technology, the industry will have to meet higher standards in terms of cleanliness and safety for tenants and customers to feel safe – and for them to come back especially in office buildings, pubs/restaurants.
Cofinimmo seeks to offer its clients safety and well-being in its buildings. Innovative infrastructure is therefore made available and offered through partners. Every effort is made to ensure a healthy and pleasant environment, and thus ensure the mental and physical well-being of the occupants.

More than ever, the survival of construction and real estate companies will depend on their ability to adapt, which will include the adoption of new technologies. Technology makes it possible to go beyond the automation of repetitive tasks and today provides support in more complex intellectual processes, in customer relations, in equipment maintenance, in the management of breakdowns and in energy management.
When renovating its buildings, Cofinimmo provides for the integration of these new technologies. The chosen technologies aim to manage energy more efficiently and in doing so, to reduce GHG emissions of the buildings.

Technology is enabling a gradual shift from curative to preventive medicine. The appearance of remote monitoring devices and portable sensors enables doctors to have a more dynamic picture of their patients’ health and, whenever possible, to more quickly adapt their treatment based on their condition. These sensors can even automatically send a message to emergency services if there are serious anomalies in a patient’s vital signs. All these possibilities have an impact on healthcare infrastructure, as hospital stays are now shorter.
Other types of healthcare real estate properties are being developed to meet the needs of an ageing population, which nevertheless remains very autonomous: rehabilitation centres, day centres, etc. This new generation of senior citizens wants to stay in their own home as long as possible. The changes in healthcare technology will make this possible. However, it will require flexible housing design that can evolve according to a person’s stage in life.