Housing the Co-op

by Sascha Delz (Editor), Rainer Hehl (Editor), Patricia Ventura (Editor)

Since 2008, there has been a renewed search for alternative forms of housing production that can move beyond speculative interests and are based instead on models of co-ownership, co-production, and co-management. Hence the concept of the cooperative has experienced a true renaissance in recent years. This book explores how cooperative housing construction and forms of self-determined building production might offer effective solutions to the global housing crisis, moving us closer to a more equitable and sustainable future through systematic change. With case studies from Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Uruguay, Ethiopia, and China, as well as a glossary of important terms.

Genres: Urban Planning, Essays

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Laura Linsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important topic and good intention, clear manifesto and initial build up, but essays generally feel under-edited, difficult to follow at times, there is a very deliberate structure to the book but in reality, it is not as easy to grasp as has been the intention so it becomes somewhat counter-productive. Good for source material on the topic.

[Rafa Ch GS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great reference for those who are interested in alternatives for housing issues from the perspective of cooperative actions. It has an interesting structure of manifesto principles, co-op example and city trends. Through the lense of co-ops, this review takes us to different times and cities to understand how co-op experiences (or the lack of) have played out. I learned a lot, especially of the power squatters and informality have had on shaping the housing landscape everywhere. I recommend it. Having said that, the chapters have diverging quality and research depth and not all are easy to read. I'm not an expert on the topic, and I understand the intention was to be brief so there's not enough space for deep nuance, but some chapters felt very biased towards romanticizing co-ops

[Dino · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[Ee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of critical essays and examples of grassroots alternative housing movements around the world.

[M DeNardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

still reading and re-reading. the only book we find sharing solutions to the dilemma of housing and the inequity of contemporary governance.