Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: What is Coho?

[Buzz Burrell (72253.2101]

Thanks to Rob who started this question with the following -

>From the Puget Sound Cohousing Network Brochure:

>Cohousing is a neighborhood that is designed and built by the people 
>who intend to live there.   The process of working together 
>cooperatively to make decisions  creates a close community of neighbors.

One of the reasons I like the question "What is Cohousing" is because it helps
us see clearly what we are doing, versus maybe what we think we are doing, and
to then focus on what we want to do.

For example, I've never seen a cohousing development that was "designed and
built" by the residents, at least not in the normal use of the terms as most
people would understand it.  Sharingwood seems to come close, but nothing in
Colorado resembles this.  Here, the members tell the architect about what they
want, he/she does various sketches until they agree on one, and then he/she
continues the design process getting approval from the group each step of the
way until the design is complete.  This is the same process used on many custom
houses, except it's a group process.  

As for the term "build", whoever is holding the hammer or is supervising that
person is the builder;  again, no cohousing groups around here have "built"
their developments, just as few owners of any other form of custom housing build
thier houses.

The cohousing groups in Colorado have come closer to being called "developers"
than anything else, but still, most of the groups I know of have hired a
commercial developer to perform all those functions as well.

"Working together to make decisions" also leaves out some groups.  It is
entirely possible (and has to a limited extent been done) that a commercial
developer could simply build out a subdivision in the coho style and then sell
it en mass to a coho group.  Why not?  Save years of effort, and the architect,
developer, financier, and contractor are all doing it anyway.

I hope is doesn't seem like I'm nitpicking;  I just think that looking at this
clearly is helpfull to creating a form that will work better.   Knowing who you
are and what in essence you really want is essential to an effective group
process, such as creating a community.

So what's my definition of cohousing?

Tough question for me;  I could maybe do better with some thought, but how about
-

An intentional residential community of people who create a neighborhood, larger
building, or small subdivision for the purpose of sharing thier time, thoughts,
energy, and other resources, while maintaining private ownership of thier own
dwelling.

Buzz Burrell
Paonia, CO

Where all the men are building houses, the women are too, and there isn't a
stray bale to be bought within 100 miles.