Growing old together: senior cohousing and successful ageing in the city Me, Berlin, initial interest, Why not in the UK?  Phd Jim Hudson, PhD candidate, Dept. of Geography, UCL

Cohousing is… designed as an intentional neighbourhood comprised of self-contained homes, but with a common space and facilities that are shared and used by all the community’s households of a suitable size to support a viable community dynamic – ideally not less than 10 and no more than 40 adults fully controlled and managed by its residents Drawing on McCamant and Durrett (1988), Fromm (1991) and Field (2004) A bit technical… The physical things you need to encourage a community For older groups, 4th point is key + living in a mutually supportive community + living in housing that suits your needs, downsizing etc Where? Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands – state supported, most widespread Emerging in the US, mainly private Emerging in Germany, from multi-gen model But minimal in the UK. OWCH to be the first

Last year, short study of two groups, talking to members, both moving forward but not yet complete   Cohousing Woodside, Muswell Hill, Hannover, part of larger development of housing for older people Pros: surely ideal, no financial risk Cons: total loss of control Cohousing Woodside (architect: Pollard Thomas Edward)

Cannock Mill Cohousing Cannock Mill, Colchester, originally Hannover Pros: total control Cons: the money / being a developer GO ON …. Cannock Mill Cohousing (architect: Anne Thorne Architects)

Cannock Mill Cohousing But my interest is the social: WHO ARE THEY? WHAT IS THE APPEAL? Mainly 55 – 75, couples and single women, BOOMERS THIRD AGE – active, often still working, planning for a NEW PHASE OF LIFE Planning for practicalities of later life, and disabilities present, BUT NOT AS THE FOCUS OF THEIR plans Social isolation a factor, avoiding distance and faff as they grow older Also, small, urban not isolated sites – exisitng friendships maintained Wish NOT TO BE LIKE PARENTS, not thinking, living in big houses  same with their kids A N D A G A I N ! ! ! Cannock Mill Cohousing (architect: Anne Thorne Architects)

Cannock Mill Cohousing BUT ABOVE ALL, nothing else appeals as a good way to live in later life Retirement communities – McCarthy and Stone – rejected BOOMERS important – genuinely different from their parents generation NOT ALL wanted age segregated, but A – no choice with Hannover B – lack of choice of groups … but everyone happy But many heard it about the group, not about cohousing … all suggests there’s real demand out there FINALLY, NOT WHAT THEY SAID, BUT… strong links between mental and physical wellbeing, sociability and health ______________________________________________ BUT IN THE UK THESE GROUPS ARE JUST EMERGING My interest is also in how groups work out in the longer term, once established Cannock Mill Cohousing (architect: Anne Thorne Architects)

Spreefeld, Berlin BERLIN Early days… But more widespread, and Baugruppen / Cohousing is very high profile And Germany / Berlin has a stronger culture of community housing, historically Spreefeld – a new, hip architectural… Spreefeld, Berlin

Allein Wohnen in Gemeinschaft (Al WiG) Allein Wohnen in Gemeinschaft – Living Alone in a community It’s retrofit – early 1970s estate in Neukoelln Allein Wohnen in Gemeinschaft (Al WiG)

Allein Wohnen in Gemeinschaft (Al WiG) [ PEOPLE SHOT, LAUGHING – BORIS AS F S?] Also searching for groups that have evolved into cohousing Allein Wohnen in Gemeinschaft (Al WiG)

AND BERLIN’S CURRENT SUPPORT… Berlin State has set up Stattbau GmbH Lawyers and developers specialise… EXISTS AS A LEGAL AND CONTRACTUAL MODEL

Some key thoughts… Older people doing cohousing might represent far larger numbers, whose needs are currently unmet Avoid assumptions about older people and their needs – the groups are planning a new phase of life, not a care package Fundamentally community-led – cohousing can’t be provided by others (but it can be made easier) And although it’s not the goal, it will ease the burden on care services

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