Nina Quintas, Pierre Arnold & others
urbaMonde
2021
đ Context and Publisher The studies presented here are part of the CoHabitat Network's efforts to explore community-led housing (CLH) initiatives, focusing on the challenges of accessing land and finance. The research was coordinated by Nina Quintas and Pierre Arnold from urbaMonde, with contributions from LĂ©a Vidal and LĂ©a Oswald. Published in October 2021 and May 2022, respectively, these studies highlight successful CLH projects from various regions, illustrating how grassroots organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions can work together to create non-speculative housing solutions. đĄ Study 1: Access to Land & Finance for Community-Led Housing The first study emphasizes various case studies from Africa, Europe, and Latin America, showcasing diverse strategies for securing land and financing CLH projects. Notable projects include: - Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust (UK): This initiative aimed to revitalize a neighborhood in Liverpool while preventing demolitions and gentrification. It successfully utilized interest-free loans and grants to support its mission. - Ecovillage Aldea Feliz (Colombia): In this project, a community used collective ownership and self-building practices to focus on sustainable living and affordability, employing local materials and income-generating activities. - Barrio Intercultural (Argentina): This initiative involved returning ancestral Mapuche land to its original inhabitants, providing affordable housing while respecting cultural heritage. - La Borda Cooperative (Spain): The project implemented a "grant of use" model for cooperative housing, emphasizing environmental sustainability and ethical financing. - Senegalese Federation of Inhabitants (Senegal): This federation created a revolving fund for urban renewal, improving housing in flood-prone areas via community savings and international cooperation. đ° Study 2: Financial Mechanisms in Community-Led Housing The second study builds on the first, presenting additional case studies from Zimbabwe, Uruguay, Brazil, Switzerland, and Germany. Key examples include: - Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project (Zimbabwe): This project utilized municipal financing to enhance informal settlements, leveraging community savings groups and a revolving fund. - COVICOFU Cooperative (Uruguay): A mutual-aid cooperative that secured land tenure for informal workers through state loans and subsidies. - Cooperativa Esperança (Brazil): Developed housing through mutual aid despite the absence of formal cooperative recognition. - Mehr als Wohnen (Switzerland): A large cooperative neighborhood in Zurich that integrates social diversity and sustainability into its financial planning. - Spreefeld Cooperative (Germany): This initiative combines cooperative living with private ownership options in Berlin, addressing gentrification challenges while maintaining affordable rents. Both studies underline the critical role of collaboration among communities, governments, and NGOs in overcoming barriers to affordable housing, demonstrating that tailored financial strategies are essential for sustainable urban development.
The two studies provided by the CoHabitat Network focus on community-led housing (CLH) initiatives across different regions, specifically addressing the challenges of accessing land and finance. Below is a summary of each study with key findings, context, and publication details.
Study 1: Access to Land & Finance for Community-Led Housing
Context and Authors: This study was coordinated by Nina Quintas and Pierre Arnold from urbaMonde, with contributions from LĂ©a Vidal. It was published in October 2021. The study is a collaborative effort of the CoHabitat Network, which includes grassroots organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions working towards non-speculative housing solutions.
Key Findings:
- The study highlights several case studies from Africa, Europe, and Latin America, showcasing diverse approaches to securing land and finance for CLH projects.
- Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust (UK): This project revitalized a Liverpool neighborhood by preventing demolitions and gentrification through a community land trust model. It utilized various financial sources, including interest-free loans and grants.
- Ecovillage Aldea Feliz (Colombia): A group formed an ecovillage through collective ownership and self-building practices. They focused on sustainability and affordability by using local materials and community income-generating activities.
- Barrio Intercultural (Argentina): This project involved the transfer of ancestral Mapuche land back to its original people, providing affordable housing while respecting cultural heritage.
- La Borda Cooperative (Spain): Implemented the "grant of use" model for cooperative housing, focusing on environmental sustainability and ethical financing mechanisms.
- Senegalese Federation of Inhabitants (Senegal): Developed a revolving fund for urban renewal to improve housing conditions in flood-prone areas through community savings and international cooperation.
Study 2: Financial Mechanisms in Community-Led Housing
Context and Authors: This study was also coordinated by Nina Quintas and Pierre Arnold from urbaMonde, with contributions from LĂ©a Oswald. It was published in May 2022. The study continues the exploration of financial mechanisms for CLH projects worldwide.
Key Findings:
- The study presents additional case studies from Zimbabwe, Uruguay, Brazil, Switzerland, and Germany.
- Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project (Zimbabwe): Utilized a municipal financial facility to upgrade informal settlements through community savings groups and a revolving fund.
- COVICOFU Cooperative (Uruguay): A mutual-aid housing cooperative that secured land tenure for informal workers through state loans and subsidies.
- Cooperativa Esperança (Brazil): Built housing through mutual aid despite lacking formal recognition as a cooperative due to legislative gaps.
- Mehr als Wohnen (Switzerland): A large cooperative neighborhood in Zurich that integrates social diversity and sustainability within its financial planning.
- Spreefeld Cooperative (Germany): Combines cooperative living with private ownership options in Berlin, facing challenges from gentrification but maintaining affordable rents through innovative financial structures.
Both studies emphasize the importance of collaboration between communities, governments, and NGOs in overcoming barriers to affordable housing. They showcase how diverse financial strategies can be tailored to local contexts to support sustainable urban development.