Collective self-organized and participatory forms of housing are re-emerging across Europe. In Amsterdam, the municipality recently launched the ‘Action Plan Housing Cooperatives’, aiming to realize 15–20 cooperative projects by 2030. While the potential of such resident-led initiatives to strengthen the social dimension of housing is increasingly recognized, most research has focused on the ‘use’ phase of completed buildings. However, in the Netherlands, most housing cooperatives are still in the planning and development stage. The thesis investigates how members of cooperatives experience social relationships, social interactions, trust, and a sense of community during this development process with particular attention to characteristic elements of cooperative housing and the timing of member involvement.
The research connects theoretical concepts of social cohesion with a qualitative case study approach, including semi-structured interviews with members of two housing cooperatives in Amsterdam. Findings show that collaboration on the project was the strongest and most consistent driver for the development of the social dimension, particularly for building trust and social relationships. General member assemblies, small-group meetings, and meetings in person were central settings for this. Joint activities such as shared meals or workshops reinforced trust and a sense of community during the development phase, even though they often competed with the demands of project work. Stressful shared experiences often created tension in the short term but ultimately strengthened the social dimension. The length and intensity of members’ involvement also played a role. Long-term members did not always experience a stronger social dimension within the cooperative but instead often shifted from a strong focus on social aspects to a more collaboration- and task-driven focus. Cross-cutting themes such as sharing practices, diversity, and collaboration with external stakeholders further shaped the experiences.
The findings underline that the social dimension of resident-led housing can already develop during the planning phase, before members move in together. They suggest practical implications not only for housing cooperatives themselves, but also for municipalities, architects, and developers. Housing cooperatives were found to take on tasks that are often considered municipal responsibilities, which underlines the importance of institutional support to prevent burnout among members and to allow them to focus on community-building. Diversity was experienced as enriching but also challenging, which points to a need for active guidance and support. Finally, the thesis shows that active participation in the development process of housing is central for strengthening social cohesion between residents, raising questions about the potential of resident participation in conventional new housing developments.