Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods
We are more than excited to announce that the new definitive book, Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods, is now available for preorder through Wiley and Amazon for only $39.95.
The book will also be available to purchase for the first time at the Cohousing Conference in Madison, WI author's showcase, where Charles will be presenting and hosting a book-signing as well.
Perfect for everyone—from architects and housing advocates to young families and senior citizens—who strive to see new ways to create neighborhoods, Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods compiles facts and concepts that are essential to the design of a high-functioning community, where people can participate in a way that reflects their values, improves their social connections, and retain their autonomy and privacy.
Here are some excerpts from the book:
People-Hours per week
How is this calculated? People often say, “it must be difficult.” In fact, it can be extremely fun and it’s critical for improving discussions and designs over time. Nevada City receives about 450 people-hours per week and Trudeslund gets about 750. And these metrics are key to post-occupancy evaluation—“Does it work or does it not work?” should be an objectively answerable question.
Zoning/Racism/Affordability
Since zoning practices began in the U.S in 1916, they have been used to keep classes and races separate (see Chapter 7), and redlining continued to reinforce that in the 1930s. Cohousing can uniquely challenge these racist legacies more effectively than other means, because it brings the people to the planning table.
Cohousing Certification
There are communities that inadvertently call themselves cohousing that are in fact very cohousing inspired, cohousing-like, and are lovely places for sure, but are not cohousing. I firmly believe cohousing needs to be certified for its continuing success, just as organic farming needed certification before it really took off in the US.
Testimonials from reviewers
In Latin they call it a “Magnus Opus.” In Danish we call this a “A Work of Consequence that is Long Overdue."
This book does not just list model projects, Chuck also lays out the process, the details, the intent, and the product and everything necessary to accomplish a high-functioning neighborhood—every thing necessary to make a quality community.
Hans Rasmusen, Denmark