Darinka Czischke, Claire Carriou, Richard Lang & others
Housing, Theory and Society Journal
2020
This comprehensive academic article titled "Collaborative Housing in Europe: Conceptualizing the Field" was published in January 2020 by Darinka Czischke, Claire Carriou, and Richard Lang in the Housing, Theory and Society journal. The paper examines the emerging field of collaborative housing (CH) in Europe since the 2000s, addressing significant contemporary housing challenges through collaborative models. š Definition and Scope Collaborative housing is defined as an umbrella term that includes various forms of collective self-organized housing. Key models under this definition comprise resident-led cooperatives, cohousing projects, community land trusts (CLTs), community self-help initiatives, and self-build housing projects. These initiatives encourage collaboration among residents, fostering active participation in housing development and management while focusing on shared goals of sustainability and social inclusion. š Historical Context While collective housing has historical roots, the recent revival since 2000 responds to modern challenges such as social inclusion, housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and democratic governance. This context underscores the necessity for community-based solutions in addressing pressing housing issues across Europe. āļø Key Tensions and Challenges The article identifies several key tensions within collaborative housing, particularly concerning social inclusion. There is a noted tension between the desire for social cohesion and the need for diversity, as well as the risk of exclusivity that may arise due to the social and cultural capital required for participation. Additionally, organizational structure presents challenges, including balancing the interests of internal members with community needs and navigating the competing influences of bottom-up versus top-down approaches. šŖšŗ European Context The research illustrates how collaborative housing manifests differently across European countries. For instance, Denmark emphasizes cooperative homeownership, while France integrates collaborative models within the social housing sector. England focuses on community land trusts, and Finland showcases owner-occupied collective projects. These variations highlight the adaptability of collaborative housing initiatives to local contexts and institutional settings. In conclusion, the research asserts that collaborative housing offers a flexible and adaptive approach to housing provision in Europe, shaped by local circumstances while promoting both individual and collective agency. However, it also acknowledges the challenges of maintaining inclusivity and balancing the interests of various stakeholders in the implementation of these initiatives.
Housing, Theory and Society Journal
This comprehensive academic article titled "Collaborative Housing in Europe: Conceptualizing the Field" was published in January 2020 by Darinka Czischke, Claire Carriou, and Richard Lang in Housing, Theory and Society journal. The paper examines the emerging field of collaborative housing (CH) in Europe since the 2000s.
Key Concepts and Findings
Definition and Scope Collaborative housing serves as an umbrella term encompassing various forms of collective self-organized housing, including:
- Resident-led cooperatives
- Cohousing projects
- Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
- Community self-help initiatives
- Self-build housing projects
Core Characteristics The defining feature of collaborative housing is significant collaboration between:
- Residents with each other
- Residents and external stakeholders
- Active participation in housing development and management
- Shared goals related to sustainability and social inclusion
Historical Context While collective housing has historical precedents, the recent wave since 2000 addresses modern challenges:
- Social inclusion and cohesion
- Housing affordability
- Environmental sustainability
- Democratic governance
- Community-based solutions
Key Tensions and Challenges
Social Inclusion
- Tension between social cohesion and diversity
- Risk of exclusivity due to required social and cultural capital
- Challenge of including disadvantaged populations
Organizational Structure
- Balance between internal member interests and wider community needs
- Competing influence of bottom-up and top-down forces
- Tension between market-based and cooperative tenure forms
Implementation
- Context-specific challenges across different countries
- Need for professional support while maintaining resident autonomy
- Balance between individual and collective action
European Context
The study highlights how collaborative housing manifests differently across European countries:
- Denmark: Focus on cooperative homeownership
- France: Integration with social housing sector
- England: Emphasis on community land trusts
- Finland: Owner-occupied collective projects
The research concludes that collaborative housing represents a flexible and adaptive approach to housing provision, shaped by local contexts and institutional settings. It emphasizes the importance of both individual and collective agency while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining inclusivity and balancing various stakeholder interests.