Quality Cottage Community Projects Must Meet Increased Safety and Autonomy Requirements – Expert Opinion

In the opinion of Serhiy Slyusarenko, co-founder and managing partner of the Riviera Village cottage community, heightened buyer demands for safety and autonomy in cottage communities significantly impact production costs, yet these elements have become essential components of quality projects. The expert notes that quality comprehensive projects have managed to maintain their prices even during crisis periods, which can be attributed to the shortage of well-thought-out and cohesive solutions in the cottage community market.

Slyusarenko emphasizes that the increase in production costs is linked not only to the rising prices of construction materials but also to new requirements for autonomy and safety that were not mandatory just a few years ago. As a result, the market is gradually seeing the disappearance of simplified or low-quality projects that do not meet modern standards.

In the current security situation, the autonomy of housing projects has become a fundamental requirement for buyers, particularly in the cottage community market. For instance, Riviera Village has provided backup power for street lighting in case of electricity outages. Residents of the community also have the option to choose additional safety solutions for their homes, such as shelters and a minus first floor, which enhances the level of protection.

Slyusarenko pointed out that the most effective and comprehensive security and autonomy systems are implemented during the construction phase, when it is possible to anticipate all technical and infrastructural solutions in advance. However, some of these measures can also be implemented in completed projects, which is also of great importance to buyers.

Among other energy-autonomous measures that are popular with buyers, the expert highlights solar panels, independent water supply, and stable internet. The market perceives the ability to ensure autonomy for the complex for 24-72 hours as a standard, which is a crucial factor for modern residents.

According to Slyusarenko, autonomy and safety are gradually transitioning from the level of an individual house to the standard for the entire residential complex. This underscores the main shift in the market: people are increasingly choosing not just a house, but an environment in which they live.

The trend towards self-sufficient projects remains relevant, where residents do not need to leave the community to address everyday matters. In addition to basic services, the establishment of recreational areas is also important, as they perform a vital social function, especially during wartime.

Slyusarenko concludes that the main value is not formed by an individual house, but by a cohesive ecosystem in which all elements work together. Such self-sufficient residential formats are expected to define the development of the suburban real estate market in Ukraine over the next 5-10 years, predicts the expert.