• Principles of co-housing
• Environmental Sustainability Part 1
• Environmental Sustainability Part 2
• Social Sustainability Part 1
• Social Sustainability Part 2
• Financial Sustainability

Principles of co-housing

More About Social Sustainability

* Diverse, intergenerational communities. Cohousing communities include people with different ages, backgrounds, family types, racial heritage, religious and political affiliations. By going through the planning, design and decision-making process together, residents form the bonds that provide the foundation for ongoing community.

* Public participation. Cohousing reaches out to the greater community to attract people to the process. There is no social agenda beyond creating a warm and friendly neighbourhood with the opportunity for more connection with neighbours.

* Respect and care for community life. The extensive common facilities are designed to create opportunities for spontaneous connection and support the social fabric of the community.

* Change personal attitudes and practices. A deep sense of connectedness to others can lead to radical realignment of personal priorities. In cohousing, although the individual is respected and valued, community well being is equally important. Such values can broaden into concern for the welfare of those unknown and those yet unborn - which is the essence of sustainability.

* Democratic self-determination. The members finance the development and decisions are made using 100% consensus. The final product is the result of a shared intention and deeply co-creative process.

* Equal opportunity for personal self-realization. All members have equal opportunity for participation, leadership roles and access to information.

* Reduced need for external human resources and infrastructures. In a community where people know their neighbours, there is considerable opportunity for the natural connections and support that reduce the burdens of day to day living. Daycare is often provided collaboratively by the families who need it. The little things that make living independently challenging for elders can be supplied naturally in a cohousing community, reducing the need for outside support.

* Safety and Security. "Safety is in knowing your neighbours - not in walls and barriers." - Corporal Dan Kelly RCMP.