ABSTRACT
Niche product or driver of gentrification? Co-housing as a strategic element of urban and housing policies
Introduction
Defining the role of co-housing involves clarifying what social groups initiate and live in it and what their objectives are. The generally adopted assumptions that focus on the social and political elements is that co-housing communities are intentional and inclusive, with a stress on some collectivity in everyday life. Residents participate in planning and managing their communities to varying degrees. Other major elements often present are adaptability to different phases of life and changing lifestyles, and a non-speculative character, manifested through various forms of collaborative ownership (see e.g. Vestbro 2010).
