未來社區的可能性：共居模式如何成為城市永續的解方？ Is Co-Living the Future of Urban Sustainability?

(scroll for eng)

這次和P先生回新加坡特別選了Habyt想邊住邊當參考案例，雖然原本是因為在雙溪的提案，想趁機會來實際體驗，但出發前兩天業主說不做了，一邊苦笑，一邊來寫這個廢棄國小創造的共居模式，在少子高齡化的時代我想已經是全球獨特優勢和商機了吧！

在全球共享居住領域中，Habyt 是個備受矚目的品牌。自 2017 年成立以來，這家總部位於德國柏林的公司迅速擴展至全球 50 多個城市，包括新加坡在內，以創新的共居模式和對閒置空間的巧妙利用，展現出獨特的優勢。尤其在少子高齡化的社會趨勢下，Habyt 的經營策略不僅解決了居住問題，也為社區注入了新活力。

Habyt 的四大優勢

1. 靈活多樣的居住選擇

Habyt 提供從私人公寓到共居房間的多種住宿方案，滿足不同住戶的需求。無論是短期停留還是長期居住，都能彈性選擇租期，對於工作異動頻繁或喜愛探索不同生活方式的人來說，無疑是一大福音。

2. 社群驅動的生活方式

Habyt 強調社群感，設計了多樣的共享空間與定期社交活動，讓住戶之間能夠自然地交流互動。無論是公共廚房裡一起煮飯、共享客廳中的影集馬拉松，還是天台上進行的瑜伽課，Wellness studio 的冥想頌缽課，這些設計不僅緩解都市生活中的孤獨感，也讓不同背景的人們有機會療癒自己也建立深厚的人際網絡。

3. 數位化的便捷體驗

Habyt 善用數位平台，讓住戶可以輕鬆在線上預訂、支付、管理住宿。無需繁瑣的手續，只要一支手機，便能完成從預訂到退租的所有流程。這種無縫的數位化體驗，不僅提升了住戶的滿意度，也讓管理更加高效。

4. 高品質且具設計感的居住環境

Habyt 注重設計美學與功能性，提供設備齊全且裝修精美的居住空間。從高速網路、現代化廚房、洗衣房到舒適的公共工作和休憩區，每一個細節都體現出對住戶生活品質的重視。特別是對於習慣高效率工作模式的現代人來說，這樣的環境讓生活與工作可以無縫銜接。

在新加坡用廢棄國小的創意重生

在土地資源稀缺的新加坡，如何高效利用每一寸空間是城市規劃的關鍵。隨著少子化現象加劇，一些小學因學生數量減少而關閉，留下大量閒置的校舍。Habyt 敏銳地察覺到這一機會，將廢棄國小改造成共居空間，不僅讓這些建築重獲新生，也成功打造出充滿活力的社區環境。

從教室到臥室的巧妙轉換

少子高齡化時代的四大優勢

 1. 資源的高效利用

Habyt 將廢棄國小改造成共享居住空間，避免了建築資源的浪費，也響應了可持續發展的理念。這種做法不僅是對空間的有效利用，更是對歷史建築的尊重和傳承。

 2. 促進世代和族群融合

共居模式提供不同年齡層共同生活的機會，年輕人和長者在這裡互相交流、學習，形成互助的社群氛圍。舉例來說，長輩可以傳授生活經驗，而年輕人則可分享科技新知，彼此補足，創造更具溫度的社群環境。

 3. 緩解住房壓力

在城市房價高漲的情況下，Habyt 提供多元且可負擔的居住選擇，有效緩解都市住房壓力。尤其對於剛踏入社會的年輕人或短期停留的工作者，以新加坡為例，在Habyt住一個月的費用為1800新幣，比起其他平均約3000新幣的租房標的，共居模式既能降低生活成本，又不失舒適度與品質感。

 4. 重塑社區活力

廢棄校舍經過改造後，成為社區活動中心，不僅吸引新住戶入住，也帶動周邊商圈的繁榮。Habyt 定期舉辦工作坊、講座、社交聚會等，讓住戶與當地居民有更多交流，重新凝聚社區認同感與歸屬感。

台灣的借鏡與未來展望

在台灣，少子化與高齡化問題同樣嚴峻，不少國小因學生減少而停辦，類似的閒置空間也在偏鄉大量存在。若能借鏡 Habyt 的模式，將廢棄國小轉型為共享居住空間，都會型的可以變成青銀共居，偏鄉型的可以發展成以療癒觀光為導向的共居聚落，不僅可有效利用資源，更能解決年輕人租屋困難及高齡者孤獨問題。

此外，台灣各地客家庄擁有豐富的文化資產，若能結合在地文化特色，設計具故事性與文化感的共居空間，勢必能吸引國內外遊客的目光，進一步利用閒置空間推動地方觀光與永續經濟發展。

從廢棄校舍到社區新生的無限可能

Habyt 的成功，正是源於對空間利用的創意與對社區文化的尊重。在少子高齡化的時代，共居模式不僅是解決住房問題的創新方案，更是重塑社區活力、促進社群融合的關鍵。

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Ted

(eng version) Is Co-Living the Future of Urban Sustainability?

This time, when Mr. P and I returned to Singapore, we chose to stay at Habyt, hoping to use the experience to gain some insights for a project in Shuangxi. Unfortunately, just two days before our departure, the client nixed the project.

With a wry smile, I still wanted to document this co-living experience, a thriving community created from an abandoned elementary school. In an era of declining birth rates and aging populations, this model is potentially a globally unique advantage and business opportunity.

Habyt: A Prominent Name in Global Co-Living

Habyt is a well-regarded brand in the global co-living space. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Berlin, the company has expanded rapidly to over 50 cities worldwide, including Singapore. Through its innovative co-existing concept and smart use of vacant spaces, Habyt has some distinct advantages. Particularly in response to population changes, its business strategy not only addresses housing issues but also revitalizes communities.

4 Key Advantages of Habyt

1. Flexible and Diverse Living Options

   
   

   Habyt offers a variety of housing options, from private apartments to co-living spaces, catering to different resident needs. Whether for short-term stays or long-term living, tenants can  choose their rental period, quite flexibly. This is especially beneficial for those with frequent job relocations or individuals who enjoy exploring different lifestyles.

   
   

2. Community-Driven Living Experience

   
   

   Habyt emphasizes a sense of community by designing shared spaces and hosting regular social events. Whether it's cooking together in a communal kitchen, watching TV marathons in shared living rooms, or attending yoga classes on rooftops to indoor spaces, these activities help ease urban loneliness and create social connections among people from diverse backgrounds. Their wellness studio even offers meditation and sound bathing sessions, fostering a space for self-healing and perhaps even relationship-building.

   
   

3. Seamless Digital Experience

   
   

   By leveraging digital platforms, Habyt allows residents to book, pay, and manage their accommodations effortlessly online. There’s no need for cumbersome paperwork—everything can be handled through a smartphone, from booking to moving out. This seamless digital experience enhances tenant satisfaction and makes property management more efficient. (All out issues, service requests and even compliments were handled via WhatsApp, efficiently)

   
   

4. High-Quality, Well-Designed Living Spaces

   
   

   Habyt places great emphasis on aesthetics and functionality, offering fully furnished and ergonomic living spaces. With high-speed internet, modern kitchens, laundry facilities, and comfortable co-working and relaxation areas, every detail is crafted to enhance residents’ quality of life. For modern professionals accustomed to high-efficiency work environments, this setup enables seamless integration of work and life. (There was even a small pool to cool off in hot Singapore!)

   
   

Breathing New Life into Abandoned Schools in Singapore

In land-scarce Singapore, maximizing space utilization is a key urban planning challenge. As birth rates decline, some elementary schools have closed due to decreasing student populations, leaving many school buildings vacant. Habyt recognized this opportunity and revived these abandoned buildings into vibrant co-living communities. 

The Smart Transformation from Classrooms to Bedrooms

4 Major Advantages in an Aging Society

1. Efficient Use of Resources

   
   

   By converting abandoned elementary schools into co-living spaces, Habyt prevents wasted building resources while also aligning with sustainable development principles. This approach not only maximizes space utilization but also preserves and repurposes historical architecture.

   
   

2. Encouraging Intergenerational and Cross-Cultural Integration

   
   

   The co-living model allows people of different age groups to live together, fostering mutual exchange and learning. For example, older residents can share life experiences, while younger residents can introduce new technology and ideas, creating a warm and supportive community.

   
   

3. Easing Housing Pressure

   
   

   With rising urban housing costs, Habyt provides diverse and affordable living options, effectively alleviating housing pressure. In Singapore, for example, the cost of living in a Habyt space for one month is 1,800 SGD - significantly lower than the average rental cost of around 3,000 SGD. This not only reduces living expenses but also ensures comfort and quality.

   
   

4. Revitalizing Communities

   
   

   The transformation of abandoned school buildings into co-living spaces turns them into community hubs, attracting new residents and boosting local businesses. Habyt regularly organizes workshops, lectures, and social gatherings to facilitate interactions between tenants and local residents, fostering a sense of community identity and belonging.

   
   

Lessons for Taiwan and Future Prospects

In Taiwan, the challenges of declining birth rates and an aging population are equally pressing. Many elementary schools have been closed due to decreasing student numbers, leading to an abundance of vacant spaces in rural areas. By adopting Habyt’s model, Taiwan could repurpose abandoned schools into shared living spaces - urban ones could be transformed into intergenerational co-living communities, while rural ones could focus on wellness tourism. This approach not only optimizes resource utilization but also addresses housing difficulties for young people and social isolation among the elderly.

Additionally, Taiwan's Hakka villages possess rich cultural heritage. If co-living spaces were designed to incorporate local cultural elements and storytelling, they could attract both domestic and international visitors. Utilizing vacant spaces in this way could help promote local tourism and sustainable economic development.

Unlocking Infinite Possibilities: From Abandoned Schools to Thriving Communities

Habyt's success lies in its creative approach to space utilization and its respect for community culture. In an era of declining birth rates and aging populations, co-living is not just an innovative housing solution - it is a key to revitalizing communities and fostering social integration.