Legalize the Village
I dream of a city of interconnected villages, a city that is good for our souls and for the planet. We can have that city, but only if we legalize it.
Cohousing
Why Building Collectively is Greener, Easier, and Cheaper
The buildings of eco-communities shape many communities’ functions. As Jan Martin Bang argues, “we are what we live in. When we plan our buildings, we are also planning what kind of society we want to create…we make the buildings and the buildings make us.”
Meet the German Network that Supports and Develops Sustainable Co-Housing Projects
The Mietshäuser Syndikat was launched to support self-organized, social housing projects. It connects successful, established projects with emerging ones to provide help, while at the same time reducing re-commercialization by ensuring all inhabitants co-own all real estate assets of all cohousing projects.
In Berlin, a Model for Creative and Affordable Housing
Berlin’s creative culture is under tremendous pressure as real estate speculators from around the globe buy up apartment buildings. But a culture of resistance and grassroots revitalization is putting a brake on gentrification, helping to protect the residents’ right to their city.
Aging in Community: Inside the Senior Cohousing Movement
For seniors who want to age in a supportive community environment, cohousing is an exciting alternative to traditional options such as retirement homes and assisted living centers.
One Family’s Move From Cohousing to a Smaller, Tighter Community
This is the story of Rebecca Reid, her family, and their decision to move from a cohousing community to a farmhouse.
Natural Buildings for Urban Living – The Tour (part 2)
The Craftsman-style bungalow looks normal on the outside, but the surprise is on the inside: straw bales inside the framing provide super insulation.
Natural Buildings for Urban Living (part 1)
Wanting to demonstrate that “cities can be less impactful on the planet,” natural builder Lydia Doleman bought and remodeled a Portland house to demonstrate her values.
A not so common house
I’ve recently moved into a new cohousing community, a few miles from Lancaster, where private homes mix with communal living. The heart of any cohousing community is its common house – a cross between a village hall, and a communal living/dining room; a space to help us deepen our connections with each other.