Designing Neighbourhoods for Social Interaction: The Case of Cohousing

Abstract

Does design influence social interaction in cohousing? How crucial is it? What other factors are involved? Can the impact of design be enhanced by the personal characteristics of residents or the formal social structures operating in a cohousing community? How can we design communities to increase social interaction in the future? Cohousing provides a useful case study because it uses design and formal social structures to encourage social interaction in neighbourhoods. In addition, informal social factors and personal characteristics of those living in cohousing communities predispose them to social interaction. Thus, cohousing is a housing form with optimal conditions for social interaction. Cohousing also provides a unique opportunity to study these variables in one setting to determine the relative importance of each and how social and personal factors may help to enhance the outcomes of design.

Notes

 1. Local social capital is the ‘glue’ which binds people together in a neighbourhood and encourages them to cooperate with each other. It is the local networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate cooperation within or among groups in a neighbourhood. Without social capital individuals feel isolated and are untrusting, which reduces levels of cooperation within the neighbourhood.