Transformating the way we live and build
Basic information
Project Title
Transformating the way we live and build
Full project title
A cooperative model in a disconnected society - A blueprint for living of the future
Category
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
Project Description
Woonwolk is here to change the way we live in cities.
As a housing cooperative, we are saying NO to ever-increasing rent prices and profit driven housing, to individualistic living spaces and a lack of connection to neighbourhood and city. Our apartment building in Amsterdam will be built on a foundation of sustainability, community, and creativity. Where we reconnect with each other, share goods and services, and cherish arts and culture. Where we create a blueprint for living of the future.
As a housing cooperative, we are saying NO to ever-increasing rent prices and profit driven housing, to individualistic living spaces and a lack of connection to neighbourhood and city. Our apartment building in Amsterdam will be built on a foundation of sustainability, community, and creativity. Where we reconnect with each other, share goods and services, and cherish arts and culture. Where we create a blueprint for living of the future.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Apllication for category 3
The objective of De Woonwolk is to create a new way of living, in an environment that sees residents not primarily as tenants, but as people who are connected by the building they live in. De Woonwolk is a housing cooperative founded in 2022 by a group of young Dutch, Amsterdam-based citizens, which will build 53 apartments. A housing cooperative is a form of collective living: members rent their home from their own cooperative. Together, residents self-manage and self-govern the process. An important aspect is that, for idealistic reasons, no profit is made. The building is currently being designed, and the aim is to start the construction in 2025.
By giving co-creation & slow-living a central place in our shared home, we foster reconnection between people of diverse backgrounds. Sharing and communal living is at the core of our plan. We come together to make decisions about the ins and outs of our housing cooperative. The building is built and managed in consultation with all Woonwolk members. By looking beyond the moment of completion, we see the long-term value our housing cooperative can create in terms of regaining a sense of belonging for both the Woonwolk residents as well as the neighborhood.
Currently, many people working in the cultural sector can not find affordable housing in Amsterdam. De Woonwolk’s objective entails building a home for people who care for art & culture, living in a community and for sustainability. The building will be energy-neutral, climate-proof and nature-inclusive. Besides apartments, the building will include many common spaces, a theater and a shared garden, where residents and neighbors can come together and share goods and experiences. In the current, individualistic society, De Woonwolk believes sharing a home and being connected with neighbors can relieve loneliness and foster deep connections and responsibility for the local environment.
The objective of De Woonwolk is to create a new way of living, in an environment that sees residents not primarily as tenants, but as people who are connected by the building they live in. De Woonwolk is a housing cooperative founded in 2022 by a group of young Dutch, Amsterdam-based citizens, which will build 53 apartments. A housing cooperative is a form of collective living: members rent their home from their own cooperative. Together, residents self-manage and self-govern the process. An important aspect is that, for idealistic reasons, no profit is made. The building is currently being designed, and the aim is to start the construction in 2025.
By giving co-creation & slow-living a central place in our shared home, we foster reconnection between people of diverse backgrounds. Sharing and communal living is at the core of our plan. We come together to make decisions about the ins and outs of our housing cooperative. The building is built and managed in consultation with all Woonwolk members. By looking beyond the moment of completion, we see the long-term value our housing cooperative can create in terms of regaining a sense of belonging for both the Woonwolk residents as well as the neighborhood.
Currently, many people working in the cultural sector can not find affordable housing in Amsterdam. De Woonwolk’s objective entails building a home for people who care for art & culture, living in a community and for sustainability. The building will be energy-neutral, climate-proof and nature-inclusive. Besides apartments, the building will include many common spaces, a theater and a shared garden, where residents and neighbors can come together and share goods and experiences. In the current, individualistic society, De Woonwolk believes sharing a home and being connected with neighbors can relieve loneliness and foster deep connections and responsibility for the local environment.
Key objectives for sustainability
We believe in a sustainable, harmonious city where nature and culture are closely intertwined. We want to do more for planet Earth than we could manage individually. By sharing, repairing, reusing, and co-creation, we can have more impact as a group. The building will be designed to facilitate this interaction. Next to this, we consider a circular, bio-based material choice to be a must. To have true impact, the group wants to look at sustainability not only idealistically, but also concretely and realistically, by doing justice to the complexity of these sustainable systems.
In order to ensure that our plans will indeed lead to a building with a low environmental impact, we will hire an advisor to calculate whether the desired impact is reached. For example, we want to know if our plans for energy generation and saving (e.g. using solar panels, high insulation materials, a Heat-Cold storage system) result in an energy-yielding building. Next to this, the advisor will guide us on the type of construction and insulation materials to achieve a high insulation value, thereby saving energy. Additionally, we will calculate whether our plans for material usage (such as Cross-Laminated Timber instead of concrete) lead to a building with a low environmental footprint.
Using bio-based materials, such as Cross-Laminated Timber, for a multistorey building is not often seen in the Netherlands and Europe. Only a few examples currently exist, such as the 73-meter tall HAUT in Amsterdam (https://hautamsterdam.nl/en/). Combining a wooden building with spaces in which sharing, repairing and reusing of materials is fostered, is even more unique. In the future, we hope that our project can serve as an example and contribute to sustainable construction and a sharing economy in the Netherlands and beyond.
In order to ensure that our plans will indeed lead to a building with a low environmental impact, we will hire an advisor to calculate whether the desired impact is reached. For example, we want to know if our plans for energy generation and saving (e.g. using solar panels, high insulation materials, a Heat-Cold storage system) result in an energy-yielding building. Next to this, the advisor will guide us on the type of construction and insulation materials to achieve a high insulation value, thereby saving energy. Additionally, we will calculate whether our plans for material usage (such as Cross-Laminated Timber instead of concrete) lead to a building with a low environmental footprint.
Using bio-based materials, such as Cross-Laminated Timber, for a multistorey building is not often seen in the Netherlands and Europe. Only a few examples currently exist, such as the 73-meter tall HAUT in Amsterdam (https://hautamsterdam.nl/en/). Combining a wooden building with spaces in which sharing, repairing and reusing of materials is fostered, is even more unique. In the future, we hope that our project can serve as an example and contribute to sustainable construction and a sharing economy in the Netherlands and beyond.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The integration of our core values (community, arts & culture, & sustainability) is reflected, among other things, in the common areas present on different levels of the building. We distinguish four types of common areas:
The Green Crown: a place full of lush flora on the roof, including an open space to facilitate performances and exhibitions, looking out over the city.
The Soil: a space on the ground floor meant for gatherings, meetings, events and sharing tools.
Drops: Multi-purpose spaces on every other floor where we share household equipment, work spaces and outside terraces.
Shared garden: The shared garden will be lush green and highly biodiverse, since we believe this does not only serve the environment, but also human wellbeing.
De Woonwolk aims to be an accessible place to share our love for art. We plan to achieve this by using the 'Groene Kroon' and the shared garden as a breeding ground for artistic expressions, for example, through film and poetry nights, and exhibition space. On the ground floor ('The Soil’) of the building, there will be a large makerspace with various tools shared by the members of the cooperative, which will also be available for neighborhood workshops and other social initiatives. We believe De Woonwolk is exemplary in designing a building to facilitate re-use and sharing of materials, not only with the residents within the building, but also people in the neighborhood.
De Woonwolk believes that common areas are crucial to foster connection between the residents. Since each common area has a specific function, many different needs of people can be met in the different spaces. Sharing work-spaces and materials means people will need less space in their private apartment, reducing the environmental impact due to building activities. Besides sustainability, De Woonwolk believes that shared spaces can significantly increase the quality of the experience of living in a big city like Amsterdam.
The Green Crown: a place full of lush flora on the roof, including an open space to facilitate performances and exhibitions, looking out over the city.
The Soil: a space on the ground floor meant for gatherings, meetings, events and sharing tools.
Drops: Multi-purpose spaces on every other floor where we share household equipment, work spaces and outside terraces.
Shared garden: The shared garden will be lush green and highly biodiverse, since we believe this does not only serve the environment, but also human wellbeing.
De Woonwolk aims to be an accessible place to share our love for art. We plan to achieve this by using the 'Groene Kroon' and the shared garden as a breeding ground for artistic expressions, for example, through film and poetry nights, and exhibition space. On the ground floor ('The Soil’) of the building, there will be a large makerspace with various tools shared by the members of the cooperative, which will also be available for neighborhood workshops and other social initiatives. We believe De Woonwolk is exemplary in designing a building to facilitate re-use and sharing of materials, not only with the residents within the building, but also people in the neighborhood.
De Woonwolk believes that common areas are crucial to foster connection between the residents. Since each common area has a specific function, many different needs of people can be met in the different spaces. Sharing work-spaces and materials means people will need less space in their private apartment, reducing the environmental impact due to building activities. Besides sustainability, De Woonwolk believes that shared spaces can significantly increase the quality of the experience of living in a big city like Amsterdam.
Key objectives for inclusion
At present, De Woonwolk consists of a young group of individuals deeply concerned about the current housing market in Amsterdam. We aim to take matters into our own hands and seize the opportunities available to contribute to a culture shift that makes living in Amsterdam more accessible and affordable. Currently, living in Amsterdam is increasingly becoming more expensive, and if nothing is being done, it will only be accessible for “the happy few”. Especially people with a middle income feel obliged to move away from the city. Middle income households do not have the right to social housing, but also cannot afford renting in the private sector. As such, De Woonwolk will create apartments for people with a middle income. An exemplary aspect is that no profit will be made in the process, which allows for keeping the rent as low as possible in the current time as well as in the (far) future.
As De Woonwolk, our objective is to actively seek a diverse range of residents. For example, the different cultures that make up Amsterdam constitute the pursuit of diversity within our community. Next to this, we aim to represent all generations to promote intergenerational exchanges and community-driven care for children, elderly, and people with a disability or sickness. In this way, we hope to maintain the lively, diverse character of Amsterdam as well as foster the natural tendency of people to take care of one another. Next to this, we aim to provide living space to people working in, or having passion for, the cultural and the arts sector.
The objective of De Woonwolk is to promote a societal model based on inclusion and trust. Together we decide about the ins and outs of our housing cooperative. This means that everyone can bring up proposals to discuss with the group. In addition, we believe that art and co-creation as an expression of our feelings and ideals is indispensable for a deeper connection, which we believe is an exemplary aspect of our mission.
As De Woonwolk, our objective is to actively seek a diverse range of residents. For example, the different cultures that make up Amsterdam constitute the pursuit of diversity within our community. Next to this, we aim to represent all generations to promote intergenerational exchanges and community-driven care for children, elderly, and people with a disability or sickness. In this way, we hope to maintain the lively, diverse character of Amsterdam as well as foster the natural tendency of people to take care of one another. Next to this, we aim to provide living space to people working in, or having passion for, the cultural and the arts sector.
The objective of De Woonwolk is to promote a societal model based on inclusion and trust. Together we decide about the ins and outs of our housing cooperative. This means that everyone can bring up proposals to discuss with the group. In addition, we believe that art and co-creation as an expression of our feelings and ideals is indispensable for a deeper connection, which we believe is an exemplary aspect of our mission.
How Citizens benefit
The main group of citizens that currently benefit and will benefit in the future from our project, are the (future) residents of De Woonwolk. Currently, there are 15 people part of our housing cooperative. In the future, this will be a total of 53 official members, and up to 100 people which includes partners, co-tenants or children of the members. The members of De Woonwolk spend a minimum of 4 hours a week on the realization of our dream project. Each month, there is a meeting in which all members come together and discuss important matters. The Woonwolk people have divided themselves among 7 commissions, and joining a committee is expected of all members. A short description of each committee can be found here:
Architecture
Gather all wishes regarding architecture of the group;
Assist the architect in finding advisors and contractors
Crowdfunding
Organize fun activities to raise money;
Prepare and organize a crowd-lending campaign
Subsidies
Find subsidies to apply for;
Write subsidy documents.
Activities
Organize fun activities so Woonwolk members can get to know each other better.
Finance
Make sure our business plan is up to date (the plan on how to get enough money for realizing our building).
Admissions
Have interviews with potential new members, and decide who can join the community;
Point of contact in case someone wants to leave De Woonwolk.
Communications
Manage our external contacts and social media;
Enthuse people to become member of De Woonwolk.
The impact of working together on such a project is not easily underestimated. Our members feel that this project creates a strong sense of community, even far before the building is actually realized. Besides an impact on our own residents, we aim to extend our impact to the neighborhood of our future building, by sharing our cultural events, goods, tools and meeting spaces with everyone living in our close proximity.
Architecture
Gather all wishes regarding architecture of the group;
Assist the architect in finding advisors and contractors
Crowdfunding
Organize fun activities to raise money;
Prepare and organize a crowd-lending campaign
Subsidies
Find subsidies to apply for;
Write subsidy documents.
Activities
Organize fun activities so Woonwolk members can get to know each other better.
Finance
Make sure our business plan is up to date (the plan on how to get enough money for realizing our building).
Admissions
Have interviews with potential new members, and decide who can join the community;
Point of contact in case someone wants to leave De Woonwolk.
Communications
Manage our external contacts and social media;
Enthuse people to become member of De Woonwolk.
The impact of working together on such a project is not easily underestimated. Our members feel that this project creates a strong sense of community, even far before the building is actually realized. Besides an impact on our own residents, we aim to extend our impact to the neighborhood of our future building, by sharing our cultural events, goods, tools and meeting spaces with everyone living in our close proximity.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
There are two domains in which we believe our project to be highly innovative. One dimension, the dimension this application is mostly focussed on, is the soft dimension. With our cooperative model, which is based on community, sharing, reusing of materials, and cultural expressions, we aim to bring residents together both in the building process as well as when the building is finished. Current practice is one of everyone having all materials for themselves, and people mostly interacting with people sharing a similar background. Our building will be designed to facilitate cultural interactions, multigenerational exchanges and discussion.
Another innovative dimension is in the physical realm: the building of a sustainable multistorey apartment complex. The innovative nature of the project comes primarily from the fact that it will feature a high-rise building solely constructed out of wood, biobased and circular materials (30 meter high). Furthermore, we will incorporate a food waste processor to accommodate 100 households to close our waste loop. These plans have already been approved by the municipality. Thus far two ‘experimental’ food processors exist in the Netherlands. Our aim is to mainstream the food processor and actively share this knowledge when building.
Currently, it is still standard procedure to use non-sustainable materials, such as concrete, cement and metals, to build high-rise buildings. The Woonwolk will be built in wood. In fact, this is a desire of both the future residents and the municipality. Wood construction is becoming more and more normal in building houses and low-rise buildings, but building with wood for high-rise is a new frontier in which much can still be experimented with and much needs to be figured out in order to apply it on a large scale. Another innovative idea is that we aim to reduce water usage by using vacuum toilets to reduce water consumption.
Another innovative dimension is in the physical realm: the building of a sustainable multistorey apartment complex. The innovative nature of the project comes primarily from the fact that it will feature a high-rise building solely constructed out of wood, biobased and circular materials (30 meter high). Furthermore, we will incorporate a food waste processor to accommodate 100 households to close our waste loop. These plans have already been approved by the municipality. Thus far two ‘experimental’ food processors exist in the Netherlands. Our aim is to mainstream the food processor and actively share this knowledge when building.
Currently, it is still standard procedure to use non-sustainable materials, such as concrete, cement and metals, to build high-rise buildings. The Woonwolk will be built in wood. In fact, this is a desire of both the future residents and the municipality. Wood construction is becoming more and more normal in building houses and low-rise buildings, but building with wood for high-rise is a new frontier in which much can still be experimented with and much needs to be figured out in order to apply it on a large scale. Another innovative idea is that we aim to reduce water usage by using vacuum toilets to reduce water consumption.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Community building principles will guide the layout and organization of spaces within the building. Common areas are strategically placed to encourage social interactions. Participatory design processes ensure that the preferences and needs of the community members are considered.
Arts and culture are interwoven into the fabric of the cooperative building's design. Public spaces will showcase artistic expressions, from murals and sculptures to community-created installations. These elements not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the building but also serve as a platform for residents to share their cultural backgrounds.
Architectural considerations prioritize both functionality and sustainability. The cooperative building is designed with an eye toward creating a space that adapts to the evolving needs of the residents. This includes flexible spaces that can be repurposed based on community activities and a commitment to energy-efficient design principles to minimize environmental impact.
Wood building techniques play a crucial role in the construction of the cooperative building. By utilizing renewable and locally sourced wood, the design team not only ensures structural integrity but also reduces the ecological footprint of the construction process. This commitment to wood building aligns with the broader goal of promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry.
Water management is another key consideration, with the cooperative building implementing innovative solutions to responsibly handle water resources. Rainwater harvesting systems, permeable surfaces, and water-efficient landscaping collectively contribute to an integrated approach to water management that aligns with broader environmental conservation goals.
Arts and culture are interwoven into the fabric of the cooperative building's design. Public spaces will showcase artistic expressions, from murals and sculptures to community-created installations. These elements not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the building but also serve as a platform for residents to share their cultural backgrounds.
Architectural considerations prioritize both functionality and sustainability. The cooperative building is designed with an eye toward creating a space that adapts to the evolving needs of the residents. This includes flexible spaces that can be repurposed based on community activities and a commitment to energy-efficient design principles to minimize environmental impact.
Wood building techniques play a crucial role in the construction of the cooperative building. By utilizing renewable and locally sourced wood, the design team not only ensures structural integrity but also reduces the ecological footprint of the construction process. This commitment to wood building aligns with the broader goal of promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry.
Water management is another key consideration, with the cooperative building implementing innovative solutions to responsibly handle water resources. Rainwater harvesting systems, permeable surfaces, and water-efficient landscaping collectively contribute to an integrated approach to water management that aligns with broader environmental conservation goals.
Methodology used
The methodology of De Woonwolk envisions a communal living experience that goes beyond mere accommodation, fostering a vibrant community where individuals actively contribute to and benefit from shared resources, cultural diversity, and artistic collaboration.
At the core of this housing cooperative is the principle of sharing resources. Members pool their assets, not only in terms of physical space but also communal facilities, utilities, and even skills. Shared spaces within the cooperative, such as communal kitchens, workspaces, and recreational areas, encourage a sense of community and reduce individual environmental footprints. This sharing ethos extends to a collective responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of the shared spaces, promoting a cooperative spirit among residents.
Cultural exchange is a key pillar of this housing cooperative's methodology. Residents come from diverse backgrounds, bringing with them unique perspectives, traditions, and talents. The cooperative actively facilitates opportunities for cultural sharing, encouraging residents to organize events, workshops, and performances. This not only enriches the daily lives of the community members but also fosters an environment of mutual understanding and respect. The arts sector plays a central role in shaping the cooperative's identity and activities. The cooperative provides dedicated spaces for artistic expression, such as performance areas, fostering an environment where residents can engage in and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.
Moreover, the cooperative actively seeks partnerships with local organizations, offering collaborative projects that benefit both residents and the broader community. In terms of governance, decision-making processes within the housing cooperative are always democratic and participatory. Regular community meetings provide a platform for open communication, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of all members are considered.
At the core of this housing cooperative is the principle of sharing resources. Members pool their assets, not only in terms of physical space but also communal facilities, utilities, and even skills. Shared spaces within the cooperative, such as communal kitchens, workspaces, and recreational areas, encourage a sense of community and reduce individual environmental footprints. This sharing ethos extends to a collective responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of the shared spaces, promoting a cooperative spirit among residents.
Cultural exchange is a key pillar of this housing cooperative's methodology. Residents come from diverse backgrounds, bringing with them unique perspectives, traditions, and talents. The cooperative actively facilitates opportunities for cultural sharing, encouraging residents to organize events, workshops, and performances. This not only enriches the daily lives of the community members but also fosters an environment of mutual understanding and respect. The arts sector plays a central role in shaping the cooperative's identity and activities. The cooperative provides dedicated spaces for artistic expression, such as performance areas, fostering an environment where residents can engage in and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.
Moreover, the cooperative actively seeks partnerships with local organizations, offering collaborative projects that benefit both residents and the broader community. In terms of governance, decision-making processes within the housing cooperative are always democratic and participatory. Regular community meetings provide a platform for open communication, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of all members are considered.
How stakeholders are engaged
The different stakeholders are mostly concentrated on the local level. We are a local initiative that finds its support within this local ecosystem. Our architect Sophie Valla is our most important stakeholder. She helps us envision our future accommodation, gives advice on what is possible and what is not, conducts meetings with the involved parties, including the contractor, to make the sustainable plans a reality. She is very involved and attends our meetings regularly. She does this with assistance of Maikel Gielens, our process supervisor. He focuses mostly on supporting our members in creating the business case, cash-flow schemes and helps us to come in contact with big banks to secure funding for the realization of our dream. He is also very involved and joins our meetings regularly to give updates on the financial state of our cooperative.
Sophie Valla, our architect, has used KEI Advice & Blonk Advice to calculate whether our plans regarding material choice and sustainability are the right ones, so we can reach the goals that we have set.
We also work with our future neighbors, de Bonte Hulst, to coordinate subsidy applications and also let our architects work together to create a coherent structure. We are also part of the PWA (Platform Wooncooperaties Amsterdam) that functions as a knowledgebank and lobby group for initiatives just like ours in Amsterdam.
Lastly, we work very closely with the self-build team of the Municipality of Amsterdam. The municipality wants to stimulate initiatives such as De Woonwolk, and therefore is a helpful partner in achieving our goals. We have frequent contact with multiple people within the municipality about matters regarding our project.
Sophie Valla, our architect, has used KEI Advice & Blonk Advice to calculate whether our plans regarding material choice and sustainability are the right ones, so we can reach the goals that we have set.
We also work with our future neighbors, de Bonte Hulst, to coordinate subsidy applications and also let our architects work together to create a coherent structure. We are also part of the PWA (Platform Wooncooperaties Amsterdam) that functions as a knowledgebank and lobby group for initiatives just like ours in Amsterdam.
Lastly, we work very closely with the self-build team of the Municipality of Amsterdam. The municipality wants to stimulate initiatives such as De Woonwolk, and therefore is a helpful partner in achieving our goals. We have frequent contact with multiple people within the municipality about matters regarding our project.
Global challenges
Among the most pressing global concerns are climate change, the social crises, loneliness, and lack of adequate housing. The need for rapid and meaningful action to mitigate climate change is evident, and starting on a local scale with sustainable production and construction is one of the ways forward. De Woonwolk addressed this issue by realizing a building with a low environmental impact by using bio-based, circular materials and by being energy-positive. Next to this, we foster a sharing economy within our future building by designing spaces to re-use and share materials and tools.
The social crisis encompasses issues such as inequality and discrimination. Although addressing the social crises requires comprehensive efforts on a global and national scale, local initiatives can also contribute to the solution. De Woonwolk tries to combat inequality by providing affordable living spaces to middle income households. There will be no discrimination with regards to gender, age, cultural background or sexual orientation.
Paradoxically, the hyper-connected digital age has given rise to a seemingly contrasting challenge: loneliness. Despite the ease of connecting with others through social media and online platforms, many individuals experience a profound sense of isolation. Factors such as urbanization and the high pace of modern life contribute to this sense of loneliness. Tackling loneliness involves fostering genuine human connections and building supportive communities. De Woonwolk aims to achieve this by forming a group of people who are building towards their dream home together, and by giving everyone an equal voice in the process.
The social crisis encompasses issues such as inequality and discrimination. Although addressing the social crises requires comprehensive efforts on a global and national scale, local initiatives can also contribute to the solution. De Woonwolk tries to combat inequality by providing affordable living spaces to middle income households. There will be no discrimination with regards to gender, age, cultural background or sexual orientation.
Paradoxically, the hyper-connected digital age has given rise to a seemingly contrasting challenge: loneliness. Despite the ease of connecting with others through social media and online platforms, many individuals experience a profound sense of isolation. Factors such as urbanization and the high pace of modern life contribute to this sense of loneliness. Tackling loneliness involves fostering genuine human connections and building supportive communities. De Woonwolk aims to achieve this by forming a group of people who are building towards their dream home together, and by giving everyone an equal voice in the process.
Learning transferred to other parties
Realizing a sustainable apartment complex as a group of citizens brings major challenges. Even more so in a country where the model of a housing cooperative is relatively novel, and where many parties (local governments, banks) are somewhat apprehensive in trusting a group of citizens in such a process. As such, there are many elements of our project that can be transferred to other housing cooperatives which are in a similar, or earlier stage of realization. Some transferable aspects are:
Finance:
Regarding financing a housing cooperative, there are many different strategies that should be employed in the current situation in the Netherlands. Since banks are only willing to cover 70% of the building costs, and only at the start of construction, many costs should be covered in another way. This can be through subsidies, crowdfunding, or crowdlending (through giving out obligations). Our strategy regarding these aspects (e.g. how to go about writing subsidy requests) can easily be transferred to other groups.
Internal organization
The internal organization of a housing cooperative can be complex, and many elements are also applicable for other groups. Think of voting procedure, allocation of apartments, cleaning of communal spaces, administration, and communication.
External communication
Regarding external communication, such as with the local government, but also with the press and interested citizens, there is a lot of know-how that can be transferred from an experienced group to a less experienced group.
We will share our experiences, results, and lessons with other housing cooperatives in Amsterdam and beyond. We already have contact information for other housing cooperatives as well as the central organization to which the Amsterdam housing cooperatives are affiliated (Platform Housing Cooperatives Amsterdam). Additionally, we will post updates on our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) about our methods and challenges.
Finance:
Regarding financing a housing cooperative, there are many different strategies that should be employed in the current situation in the Netherlands. Since banks are only willing to cover 70% of the building costs, and only at the start of construction, many costs should be covered in another way. This can be through subsidies, crowdfunding, or crowdlending (through giving out obligations). Our strategy regarding these aspects (e.g. how to go about writing subsidy requests) can easily be transferred to other groups.
Internal organization
The internal organization of a housing cooperative can be complex, and many elements are also applicable for other groups. Think of voting procedure, allocation of apartments, cleaning of communal spaces, administration, and communication.
External communication
Regarding external communication, such as with the local government, but also with the press and interested citizens, there is a lot of know-how that can be transferred from an experienced group to a less experienced group.
We will share our experiences, results, and lessons with other housing cooperatives in Amsterdam and beyond. We already have contact information for other housing cooperatives as well as the central organization to which the Amsterdam housing cooperatives are affiliated (Platform Housing Cooperatives Amsterdam). Additionally, we will post updates on our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) about our methods and challenges.
Keywords
Sharing economy
Community
Sustainability
Arts & Culture
Accessibility
