What are the defining characteristics of cohousing?
From: http://www.cohousing.org/resources/faq.html#differ 1. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS. Future residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer, which may actually make it easier for more future residents to participate. However, a well-designed, pedestrian-oriented community without resident participation in the planning may be “cohousing-inspired,” but it is not a cohousing community. 2. NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN. The physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourages a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site leaving more shared open space, the dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, and/or cars are parked on the periphery. The common house is often visible from the front door of every dwelling. But more important than any of these specifics is that the intent is to create a strong sense of com
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS Future residents participate in the design and development of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer, which may actually make it easier for residents to participate. However, a well designed, pedestrian-oriented community without resident participation in the planning may be “cohousing inspired,” but it is not a cohousing community. NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN The physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourages a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site leaving more shared open space, the dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, and/or cars are parked on the periphery. The common house is centrally located so that it is easy to pass through on your way home. But more important than any of these specifics is that the intent is to create a strong sense of community with design as one of the facilitato
From Cohousing – A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett. Participatory Process Future residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer, which may actually make it easier for more future residents to participate. However, a well-designed, pedestrian-oriented community without resident participation in the planning may be “cohousing-inspired,” but it is not a cohousing community. Neighborhood Design The physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourages a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site leaving more shared open space, the dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, and/or cars are parked on the periphery. The common house is often visible from the front door of every dwelling. But more important than any of these specifics is that the int
1. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS: In cohousing communities, future residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer, which may actually make it easier for more future residents to participate. Other communities are more “member-driven” and may or may not include a developer. 2. NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN: In cohousing, the physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourage a sense of community. For example, the private residences are usually clustered on the site leaving more shared open space, the dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, and cars are often parked on the periphery of the site. In some communities, the common house may be visible from the front door of every dwelling. But more important than any of these specifics is that the intent is to create a strong sense of community with site design and village design as facilitators in
