We do things differently.
Urban Thrive is a social enterprise housing developer. Every aspect of our business is geared toward making more community-centered, sustainable, and attainably priced homes. We offer a unique housing choice that’s better for people, communities, and the planet.
Here’s how.
Community-Centered
A sense of community and belonging is crucial for our well-being and mental health, as it fosters connections, support, and shared purpose. When people feel they belong, they are more likely to contribute positively to their community, creating a stronger, more resilient, and harmonious neighbourhoods. Here’s how we cultivate community in our homes:
Designed with the science of happiness. Using the Happy Cities toolkit and other research, we incorporate design best practices and wellbeing science into our homes. Examples include orienting entrances to social spaces, creating thoughtful transitions between public and private realms, and designing circulation patterns that encourage interaction while protecting privacy.
Shared spaces. Each project includes a variety of shared amenities such as courtyards, playgrounds, and green spaces, providing areas for residents to gather and connect.
Child friendly design. Our projects feature a high proportion of three-bedroom homes designed for families, with outdoor spaces that include playful elements within the landscaping to cater to children.
Intergenerational living. We offer a mix of housing types to appeal to a range of ages and demographics. Our adaptable homes support aging in place, allowing grandparents to live near their young grandchildren. This diversity strengthens the community.
Sustainable
To mitigate the worst effects of climate change, we must dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions and end our dependency on fossil fuels as quickly as possible. We take this responsibility seriously. Here’s how we’re combating global warming:
Fossil fuel-free. All appliances and hot water tanks are electric, and heating and cooling are provided by high-efficiency heat pumps.
Energy efficient. Our buildings are designed with best practices in building envelope design and energy-efficient windows and doors to minimize heat and energy loss. Each home is equipped with an energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) to recover heat while circulating fresh air.
Zero-emission transportation made easy. We build only in walkable and bikeable communities, making it fast, easy, and safe to get around by foot or bike. Our bike garages are the best in the city, offering the highest bike storage capacity per home and key features like electric charging, repair stations, wash stations, and accessory storage.
Zero-emission car-share vehicles. Each project includes an electric car-share vehicle in partnership with Modo Co-operative, which aims to have a fully electric fleet by 2030.
Attainable
It’s hard to say any home in Victoria is truly "affordable" but we do everything we can to keep costs and prices down, while maintaining exceptional quality and livability. Removing cars from the equation is a game changer, both in the purchase price and your month-to-month budget. By considering your budget and lifestyle holistically, we can provide homes that are more attainable and lighter on your finances. Here’s how we make our homes more attainable:
Cost Smoothing: Without the need to accommodate car parking and drive aisles, we can build more homes on the same amount of land. This means we are better able to spread out costs (land, financing, architectural fees, etc.) and pass the savings onto you and your neighbours. It’s basic math and it works.
Smart, Functional Design: We strive to balance quality, livability, and cost in every aspect of our homes. This means using durable, high-quality finishes without resorting to opulent luxury materials. Instead of large, expansive floor plans, we focus on creating functional and efficient layouts that maximize space and usability.
Affordable & Sustainable Transportation: Add up insurance, gas, depreciation, maintenance, and car payments and one thing is clear - owning a car is expensive. Sustainable transportation options are not only better for the environment, they’re better for your bottom line.
Energy Efficiency: High efficiency appliances and heat pumps, air tight building envelopes, and energy-recovery ventilators all contribute to lower utility bills and long-term savings for our residents.
Car Free
Yes you can.
Catalyst
Want to know more? Dig into our blog.