Genossenschaftliche Projektentwicklung von Wohnraum-Commons

Publisher

TU Berlin

Type

Academic ThesisStudy / Report / Handbook

Year

2023

Authors

André Sacharow

Topics

Commons | CooperativesHousing | Real EstateSocial inclusion & affordability

URL

Summary

This master's thesis by André Sacharow investigates the development of housing commons through cooperative project development. It highlights the interplay between self-organized commons and professional real estate development by housing cooperatives. The study identifies significant overlaps between cooperative theory and commons research, focusing on how commoning practices occur at various levels, from institutional cooperatives to shared spaces. Through a quantitative analysis of cooperative project development in Berlin, case studies of traditional, young, and umbrella cooperatives were examined, revealing structural elements and patterns of commoning. The analysis emphasizes that cooperative project development can create housing commons, with tensions arising between equality, management authority, financing needs, and openness. The thesis advocates for a commons-sensitive approach in real estate development and cooperative management, providing insights and instruments to enhance commoning practices.

Attachments

2023_Masterarbeit_sacharow_Geno_Projektentwicklung_von_Wohnraum.pdf

Master thesis in Urban Design at TU Berlin in 2023.

Abstract

Im Akt der Immobilienentwicklung werden nicht nur materielle Räume, sondern auch sozioökonomische Beziehungen (re-)produziert. In Anbetracht der vielfältigen gesellschaftlichen Krisen müssen Urban Practitioners ein Bewusstsein entwickeln, was für Beziehungsweisen zwischen Raum und den Nutzenden geschaffen werden können, die einer ganzheitlichen Zielsetzung gerecht werden. Commons sind ein möglicher Begriff dafür. Sie stehen genauso für das alltägliche Teilen von Räumen, wie für Praktiken und Institutionen, die Menschen nutzen, um ihre Probleme selbstorganisiert zu lösen. Diese transdisziplinäre Studie untersucht die skalierbare Entwicklung von Wohnraum-Commons durch professionelle Projektentwicklung von Genossenschaften. Dabei werden die Spannungsfelder zwischen selbstorganisierten Commons und professioneller Projektentwicklung analysiert. Es zeigt sich eine inhaltliche Überschneidung zwischen Genossenschaftslehre und Commons-Forschung. Commoning – als Summe der sozialen Praktiken, die Commons reproduzieren – findet dabei auf verschiedenen Ebenen statt: von der institutionalisierten Genossenschaft über das spezifische Wohnhaus bis hin zu vergemeinschafteten Räumen. Basierend auf einer quantitativen Feldanalyse zu genossenschaftlicher Projektentwicklung in Berlin wurde zu den drei identifizierten Genossenschaftstypen (Traditionsgenossenschaft, junge Genossenschaft und Dach- genossenschaft) je eine Fallstudie ausgewählt. Anhand von Expertengespräche und Dokumentenanalysen wurden Diagramme erstellt, die die Strukturelemente der genossenschaftlichen Projektentwicklung und die wiederkehrenden Muster des Commoning veranschaulichen. Instrumente aus den Fallstudien werden in einer Tabelle zusammengefasst und sollen dazu anregen, eine commons-sensible Immobilienwirtschafts- und Genossenschaftslehre für Urban Practitioners zu entwickeln.

This master's thesis by André Sacharow explores the development of housing commons through cooperative project development. Here are the key findings:

The thesis examines how professional real estate development by housing cooperatives can create or expand housing commons. It analyzes the tensions between self-organized commons and professional project development.
There is significant overlap between cooperative theory and commons research. Commoning - the social practices that reproduce commons - occurs at different levels: from the institutionalized cooperative to specific housing projects to shared spaces.
Based on a quantitative field analysis of cooperative project development in Berlin, case studies were selected for three identified cooperative types: traditional cooperatives, young cooperatives, and umbrella cooperatives.
Through expert interviews and document analysis, diagrams were created illustrating the structural elements of cooperative project development and recurring patterns of commoning.
The analysis found that cooperative project development can be understood as a triad that sets the cooperative framework, manages concrete real estate development, and promotes self-administration and community building.
Instruments from the case studies are summarized in a table to inspire the development of a commons-sensitive real estate and cooperative theory for urban practitioners.
The research suggests cooperative project development can create housing commons, with the quality of commons emerging gradually from various practices. The cooperative legal form provides a framework, but specific decisions in implementation determine the depth of commoning.
Key tension points identified include: equality vs. board management authority, decommodification vs. financing needs, member benefit vs. openness, and cooperative size vs. appropriate operational rules.

In summary, the thesis provides insights into how professional cooperative project development can scale the creation of housing commons, while highlighting areas of tension and potential instruments to foster commoning practices. The author argues for developing a commons-sensitive approach to real estate development and cooperative management.