As concerns grow about shrinking natural and financial resources, homeowners are beginning to look for ways to provide comfortable and sustainable housing in a positive social context.
While some move into walled, urban communities or highrise condominiums, others are opting for an alternative known as cohousing. Cohousing neighbourhoods combine the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of shared resources and community living.
On Saturday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Stuart McKinnon and Wolf Willow from the Middle Road Cohousing Community in Nelson will be speaking about the characteristics and advantages of cohousing and answering questions.
Cohousing communities employ efficient, environmentally sensitive use of land and residences that are space and energy efficient.
Residents take part in the overall planning of the community and co-operate in the development of the shared spaces. Those spaces may consist of gardens, open green areas, play areas for children, or may be community buildings containing meeting areas, workshops, kitchens, arts and crafts areas, or whatever else the community might decide.
According to organizer Peter Matheson, the concept of cohousing suits the Grand Forks area very well.
“It’s definitely related to the smart growth principals that the city has put forward in its sustainability plan,” Matheson said. “The city has a carbon reduction agreement that encourages greater density. Plus from the point of view of the homeowner, cohousing is both more cost effective and greener than neighbourhoods proposed by typical developers.” Matheson adds that the concept also suits alternative or at least sustainable construction methods that take into account the life cycle cost of materials.
-submitted by Jim Holtz