Constraints and possibilities for co-housing to address contemporary urban and ecological crises: A conclusion

In this conclusion we argue that, while we have demonstrated in this book that definitions of co-housing as well as co-housing practices in different European countries vary, there are some general lessons to be learned for anyone interested in understanding or practising co-housing in the context of advanced capitalist societies. This conclusion has three parts: First, we address the questions asked in the introduction regarding the relation between contemporary co-housing ideas and practices and the discourse on sustainable urban development. Second, we address the questions asked in the introduction regarding the two key dimensions of co-housing, community and autonomy, as understood in relation to the broader contexts of civil society and urban governance. Third, we will conclude by paying particular attention to the constraints on co-housing produced by contemporary urban development regimes as well as the potentials of co-housing to contribute towards more just and ecologically sustainable cities.