German co-housing: an opportunity for municipalities to foster socially inclusive urban development?

Co-housing is on the policy agenda in Germany after more than two decades of widely successful practice. Many completed projects have demonstrated that self-organised co-housing can provide tailor-made innovative solutions for an ageing and socio-culturally diversifying society. Some municipalities have adopted this model as a key element in housing and neighbourhood policies, while others are still reluctant or struggling with the idea. Analysing the German situation, the article puts forward policy recommendations for deeper research into the conditions required for co-housing to grow and its effects on urban planning and socio-spatial development. Taking Berlin as an Urban Laboratory, it examines ways of supporting the tenure and offers some advice on how cities might mainstream what so far is an interesting niche product. The overall objective of the article is two-fold: First, at the scientific level, it contributes to the European research agenda on the conditions for mainstreaming co-housing. Second, at the policy level, it addresses the legitimacy of co-housing oriented policies.