Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: stereotypes & prototypes (re. flying mango trees)

[Hans Tilstra (tilstra]

> > Looking for liberal, upper middle-class homeowners, with many thousands
of dollars of liquid cash, who have a huge tolerance for meetings,and are
willing to give up much of the control over aspects of their life to a
group. Must be risk takers, and have a willingness to be highly social. A
high degree of patience and tolerance is desirable.

As a case in point, -  the Australian electorate are increasingly splitting
their vote with a tough-minded, more masculine "outer shell" at the Federal
level and a more tender-minded, more androgynous environment at the State
level.  Equally, there is outside posturing, with a tough stance on refugees
and our prime minister talking war. Yet, at the local level there is a
greater interest in health & education. Equally, this polarity is mirrored
in responses to cohousing group processes, as individuals' perceptions vary
whether they feel more themselves culturally in this outer, or in a more
inner zone.

Hence, patience, tolerance & concensus building can be seen as rather
tiresome qualities to be distanced from. The group dynamics of who's in,
who's out, who's up & who's down may feel inclusive or exclusive, flattering
or frustrating.

> To apply, you must place tens of thousands of dollars in a risky real
estate venture largely controlled by amateurs with no experience.

So real estate agents in the commercial arena are put in a rather more
authentic light than cohousing groups? Perhaps the rules of the real estate
game are seen as reassuringly black & white. My understanding from studying
the development of cohousing is that the most effective developments are a
partnership rather than an either/or arrangement.

Cohousing groups have access to a blueprint of a housing solution cleverly
integrating privacy & community aspects.

- These archetypes are backed by reputable architects.
- Prototypes have explored rural & urban, idealogical & pragmatic
variations.
- Typical projects now provide dozens of case studies.
- It's only a matter of time before the stereotype arrives.

Hans
http://home.vicnet.net.au

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