Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

A man's home is his castle. But demographic and economic changes have turned our castles into islands. How can we regain the elements of the traditional village - family, co-operation, community and a sense of belonging - within the context of 21st century life? This is an in-depth exploration of a uniquely rewarding type of housing which is perfect for anyone who values their independence but longs for more connection with those around them. Written by the award-winning team that wrote the original 'co-housing bible' and first brought co-housing to North America, this fully-illustrated manual combines nuts-and-bolts practical considerations and design ideas with extensive case studies of dozens of diverse communities in Europe and North America. Co-housing communities create unique opportunities for designing more sustainable lifestyles. Whether urban, suburban or rural; senior or intergenerational; retrofit or new, the authors show how the physical structures of co-housing communities lend themselves to a more efficient use of resources, and make everything from gardening to childcare to socialising easier. This book puts the 'neighbour' back into 'neighbourhood'; and, is an essential resource for anyone interested in more environmentally and socially sustainable living.