Universities in Canada Have Been Developing Housing Near Campus for Decades

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are developing real estate, creating housing and amenities. This not only provides much-needed housing options for students, but provides additional revenue for the schools.

Starting in the 1980s, the University of British Columbia began developing housing. Its program continues on, with projects that include ground floor retail and grocery stores. Simon Fraser University expects to some day have 10,000 students living in its UniverCity development.

Elsewhere in Canada, the University of Guelph in Toronto and the University of Calgary are following suit. Generally, universities are held to a higher standard and expected to be civically more responsible, have better design principles, preserve natural spaces and overall contribute to the community more than typical developments.