2023
Nina Quintas, Pierre Arnold, Léa Vidal, Léa Oswald, and others
The studies provided by the CoHabitat Network, coordinated by Nina Quintas and Pierre Arnold, focus on community-led housing (CLH) initiatives, examining the challenges of accessing land and finance. The first study highlights various case studies from regions like Africa and Europe, emphasizing successful projects like the Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust in the UK and the Ecovillage Aldea Feliz in Colombia, which showcase innovative approaches to secure land and financing. The second study delves into financial mechanisms for CLH, offering examples from Zimbabwe, Uruguay, and Germany, such as the Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project and the Mehr als Wohnen cooperative. Both studies underline the significance of collaboration among communities, governments, and NGOs to overcome obstacles to affordable housing, demonstrating how tailored financial strategies can foster 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 Léa 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 Léa 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.