Developer driven coho | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Collaborative Housing Society (cohosoc![]() |
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Date: Mon, 11 Dec 1995 10:03:53 -0600 |
I think that developer-driven cohousing could work, for the same reason that I believe that working with our neighbours where ever we live is the best way to build good community. Whether a cigar-chomping captialist *or* a socially-minded cohousing group, any developer can build the physical spaces - real front porches, closely clustered houses, losing the front garage/driveway, etc., - and the common physical amenities that are the hallmark of cohousing. What seems to be essential, however, is that buyers have to be convinced that they are not just buying a "unit", but are joining a community. This is an issue regardless of whether residents are part of the site design process or not. Do you implement restrictive screening, ensuring that future members pass all the tests? Or do you simply accept that the way you live *your* life, the friendly, open nature of your community (reinforced by the design) will encourage newcomers to participate and co-operate - and that if they're scared off by seeing a bunch of people sharing meals, etc., then so much the better. As the N-Street folks (and others) keep trying to tell us, "community" is a very messy business, completely at odds with the consumerist commodification of housing that still pops up even in cohousing visions. Consumerism is all about putting my needs first, satisfying what *I* want out of life, making sure that no one else gets more than me. It is a world reduced to transactions rather than interactions, and can be as much a part of resident-led cohousing development as any other place we call home - counting the number of hours volunteered as the defining criteria for community mmebership, for example. The key seems to be, in my opinion, in finding ways to discourage this commidification of community, no matter who builds it. Russell Mawby cohosoc [at] web.apc.org
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