A series of roadshows in Scotland is sharing cohousing inspirtaion for anyone interested in housing designed and managed by residents, with events in Inverkeithing, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Lenzie.
Cohousing Scotland, the national Cohousing umbrella organisation, is staging the roadshows as part of the Places Called Home initiative, funded by IKEA and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Cohousing projects are created and run by their members, and typically commission their homes to suit the way the group wants to live, with a series of private residences and communal areas, such as gardens or common rooms. Residents commit to look out for each other, enjoy and maintain the shared common spaces while enjoying their own, self-contained homes, creating an alternative approach to housing. Cohousing communities often have a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and ecological design, with the projects frequently winning awards.
Cohousing Scotland convener, Andrew Prendergast said: “We want more people in Scotland to know about Cohousing and all it has to offer.
“Currently, housing provision centres on the commercial developer-led private sector, on the one hand, and state-led social provision on the other. We believe it is time to look to new and innovative ways to solve our country’s housing crisis.
“Cohousing Scotland sees a future where Cohousing is part of a thriving, community-led housing movement in Scotland – now is the time for change.”
About the roadshows
Each of the upcoming locations (Inverkeithing – June 7, Glasgow – June 9, Edinburgh – June 15 and Lenzie – June 22), follows broadly the same format: an afternoon drop-in session providing information about wider housing issues, followed by an evening panel discussion led by expert panellists.
During the afternoon, a team of young architects from the Imagine If collective will host an interactive game session, exploring what ‘home’ means and what our living spaces could look like in the future.
The roadshow is a free, open event.
Tuesday 7 June: Inverkeithing, Fife – Civic Centre, Queen Street, Inverkeithing KY11 1PA. Format: Drop-in: 2.30pm to 5pm, Panel discussion: 7pm to 8.30pm. Book here
Thursday 9 June: Glasgow – Quaker Meeting House, 38 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow G2 4PS. Format still to be agreed, possibly no drop-in session (be advised), Panel discussion: 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Book here
Wednesday 15 June: Edinburgh – Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL + ONLINE. Format: Drop-in: 4pm to 5.30pm, Panel discussion: 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Book here
Wednesday 22 June: Lenzie – Golf Club, 19 Crosshill Road, Lenzie, Glasgow G66 5DA. Format: Drop in: 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Panel discussion: 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Book here
For more information about a range of community led housing models, visit Community Led Housing
Image credit: Cohousing vision by Imagine If
