Transforming Collectivity

Abstract

The housing crisis in the Netherlands has been a growing concern, resulting in public outcry. This crisis stems from long-term political preferences for market-regulated housing, resulting in rising prices, increased rents, long social housing waitlists, and foreign investment-driven property purchases. The dissolution of the Ministry of Housing in 2010 and subsequent decentralization of responsibilities further worsened the situation. However, the ministry’s reinstatement in 2022 underscores the urgency to address this crisis.
A primary issue is the quantitative shortage of homes, with the government aiming to build 900,000 houses by 2030 to accommodate population growth and changing household structures. However, land scarcity, particularly in densely populated areas like the Randstad, complicates this goal. Thus, densifying existing urban areas emerges as a possible solution.
Post-war neighborhoods, present significant potential for densification. These areas, housing around 710.000 people, face socio-economic challenges, including the concentration of vulnerable demographics, increased perceived loneliness, feelings of unsafety, and social alienation. Addressing these issues requires strategies that combine physical redevelopment with initiatives to increase social cohesion.
This research explores the potential of housing cooperatives to both densify and enhance social cohesion in post-war neighborhoods, using Westwijk in Vlaardingen as a case study. The investigation covers historical design principles of post-war neighborhoods, changes over time, and the principles behind housing cooperatives. Housing cooperatives, characterized by their non-speculative nature, focus on diversity, sustainability, and long-term resident care, offering a promising alternative to traditional housing models.
Switzerland, known for a large percentage of the houses being owned by housing cooperatives, provides two interesting case studies that are examend as a case study. The Kalkbreite building in Zürich, and Warmbächli in Bern. The case studies reveal several design principles that enhance both individual and communal living quality. These projects display transparency and community engagement, providing valuable insights for similar initiatives. While the design principles identified are not exclusive to cooperative housing, their integration with a democratic and active organizational structure creates a unique quality.
In conclusion, housing cooperatives present a viable solution to the housing crisis by facilitating densification and fostering collective living. The findings from this research offer a framework for incorporating cooperative housing models into post-war neighborhoods, potentially revitalizing areas like Westwijk by addressing both quantitative and qualitative housing needs. This approach not only increases housing availability but also enhances social cohesion and liveability, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable urban development.