What is Cohousing?   

Communities that are sustainable Economically, Environmentally and Socially  

Cohousing is the name given to a type of cooperative housing that attempts to overcome the isolation of modern urban and suburban living in which individual households each operate as self contained units, and where there is little if any sense of community. It is the creation of an intentional community. Cohousing is not to deny individual dwellings in which each have their own kitchen, living-dining room etc, but to include extensive common facilities. A common building, often called the 'Common House' may include a large dining room, kitchen, lounges, meeting rooms, recreation facilities, library, workshops, childcare. And the complex as a whole will have a shared infrastucture, heating, water, sewage etc.

Cohousing communities are designed and managed by the residents, and are intentional neighbourhoods: the residents are consciously committed to living as a  cooperative community and the physical design itself supports that and facilitates social interaction. A typical cohousing community has 20 to 30 homes within a pedestrian 'street' or clustered around a courtyard. Residents of cohousing communities often have several optional group meals in the common building each week.

Resident Participation

It is anticipated that residents participate in the planning and design of the development of the community so that it directly responds to their needs. Resident involvement is recognised as a critical aspect in reducing long-term housing management costs. A developement with no resident involvement in the planning might be "cohousing inspired", but is not a cohousing community and may not function in a cooperative manner. Cohousing will only work where the residents choose to live within a framework of cooperation.

Cohousing Design.

The physical layout of the site encourages a sense of community as well as maintaining the option for privacy. The actual design is down to the residents needs and the constraints and limitations provided by the site.  Whilst there are a number of succesful models the design need not be prescriptive. Rather than saying it must be a pedestrian-oriented design with the cars at the periphery, it is more important that residents are involved in the decision making  and the intention is to create a "strong sense of community" with design as one of the facilitators.

Individual homes with shared facilities and infrastructure

Common facilities are designed for daily use; they are an integral part of the community and typically include a dining area, sitting area, children's play room, guest room, as well as garden and other amenities. Each household owns a private residence ---complete with kitchen--but also shares extensive common facilities with the larger group. The whole design can incorporate infrastructural elements (heating, water, sewage etc) with economic and environmental benfits brought about directly as a result of the levels of cooperation..

What Co-housing communities have to offer

A balance of privacy and community.

A safe and supportive environment for all residents.

Economic benefits through economies of scale and design and greater resource efficiency

Integrated community of many ages

Environmentally-sensitive design emphasising pedestrian access and optimising open space.

Cohousing communities are unique in combining a participatory planning process, neighbourhood design, shared facilities, and resident management to attract all ages and household types. As a result, cohousing communities become cross-generational neighbourhoods which support the values of family and community.

The cohousing project is based on the following key elements :

• Cooperation and collaboration between households is mutually beneficial in terms of social, economic and environmental benefits.
• Each household needs to have its own complete, private living space, but this is best when set in the context of a 'neighbourhood' , with the choice of some shared amenities.
• Environmental damage should be minimised and environmental benefit sought in all aspects of daily life.
• Diversity and equality between people is to be embraced and welcomed.
• Wellbeing of individuals and communities comprises cultural, emotional, spiritual, creative, social and material aspects of life.