A world where cities are getting more and more populous, and at the same time, the fact that its inhabitants are more and more isolated seems inevitable. However, a small but increasing movement is contradicting this trend. It’s called Cohousing and it gathers people who are willing to develop urban areas based on a sustainable life-style, with a community spirit, mutual support, gatherings between neighbors and the sharing of structures.

Cohousing is originated from Denmark, in the mid 70’s, and spread very fast throughout Scandinavia, Germany and North America. Nonetheless, it was during the last years that the movement got stronger and reached dozens of other countries. To get an idea, in the UK only, there are 60 communities that are either already developed or in the developing process.

The Cohousing communities work kind of like a private village, where although the dwellers have their own house, the common space is privileged. Each one of these communities defines its own principles, according to its dwellers necessities and especially with the goal of economizing natural resources and bringing people closer.

The structures can be, for instance, laundry-rooms, cafeterias, gardens, game rooms or libraries.

It is also common that people share the means of transportation, like cars or bicycles. Within these groups of people who feel attracted to cohousing, we can find higher age-groups and people who live alone, but don’t want to feel isolated, as well as young families who are looking for a safe place to raise their children more freely, and at the same time, have a support base which allows them to conceal family commitments with work.

Meanwhile, what all families have in common is the strong desire to collectively reduce their ecological footprint. According to the heads of cohousing, this concept could be a construction model for the cities of the future. This trend can be easily confirmed with the increasing number of people, all around the world, who express their wish to live in a place where they can relate with other people in a natural and protective environment that allows that each citizen can be more active.

Source: The Guardian
Pictures: cohousing.ca