TY - JOUR

T1 - Development of new cohousing

T2 - lessons from a London scheme for the over-50s

AU - Scanlon, Kath

AU - Fernández Arrigoitia, Melissa

PY - 2015/3/1

Y1 - 2015/3/1

N2 - There is increased interest in the UK in cohousing as a desirable alternative for older people. The economics of developing cohousing differ from the normal model for residential development; in particular, the participatory nature of the process increases the time required and there are higher risks for both resident/purchaser and developer. We examine the nature of supply and risk using the case of a new senior cohousing community in south London. Given its evident benefits, senior cohousing may eventually become more widespread, and perceived risks will fall. However, the nature of the residential development process means that cohousing will always be at a disadvantage when competing for land in high demand areas like London, and the time required for participatory processes increases costs. To currently increase the small number of cohousing communities in the UK and ensure affordability, targeted measures may be necessary to enable groups to access land and mitigate the higher costs associated with longer term collaborative processes.

AB - There is increased interest in the UK in cohousing as a desirable alternative for older people. The economics of developing cohousing differ from the normal model for residential development; in particular, the participatory nature of the process increases the time required and there are higher risks for both resident/purchaser and developer. We examine the nature of supply and risk using the case of a new senior cohousing community in south London. Given its evident benefits, senior cohousing may eventually become more widespread, and perceived risks will fall. However, the nature of the residential development process means that cohousing will always be at a disadvantage when competing for land in high demand areas like London, and the time required for participatory processes increases costs. To currently increase the small number of cohousing communities in the UK and ensure affordability, targeted measures may be necessary to enable groups to access land and mitigate the higher costs associated with longer term collaborative processes.

KW - Cohousing

KW - London

KW - Older people

KW - Residential development

KW - Risk

U2 - 10.1080/17535069.2015.1011430

DO - 10.1080/17535069.2015.1011430

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84954372833

VL - 8

SP - 106

EP - 121

JO - Urban Research and Practice

JF - Urban Research and Practice

SN - 1753-5069

IS - 1

ER -