The conference will provide a forum for researchers, housing companies, politicians and activists to meet and discuss experiences of different models of collaborative living. The conference is intended to give an overview of current international praxis and knowledge and to strengthen existing international cooperation.

The last 20 years have seen a growing interest in cohousing and other alternative forms of living in Sweden as well as internationally. The search for a sense of community remains an important driving force behind demands for cohousing. During the last ten years new aspects have been added, such as housing for the “second half of life” and planning for more sustainable lifestyles.

Collaborative housing networks in a number of countries have taken an inte-rest in the Swedish cohousing model, which is characterized by a strong involve-ment by municipal housing companies and by political initiatives combined with efforts from independent non-government organizations. The fact that these com-panies offer rental housing means that cohousing is accessible also to single parents and retired people with limited incomes.

Against this background, the association Kollektivhus NU and the Division of Urban and Regional Studies of The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) invite interested persons and organisations to an international conference on col-laborative housing, to take place in Stockholm 5-9 May 2010.

Venue & language

The conference will take place at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm. The conference language will be English (except for two work-shops, which will be carried out in Swedish).

Registration, conference fee

The conference fee is Eur 200 when registering before 1 March 2010. After that date the fee will be Eur 275. The conference fee includes access to keynote lectures and workshops, snacks in coffee breaks, lunches and a conference package. After the conference, additional study visits to cohousing units in West and South Sweden will be offered to interested participants. The dinner Saturday night and the study tours are to be paid separately. Find a registration form at http://www.kollektivhus.nu/eng/index.html. Recommendations for accommodation will be sent out upon registration.

Documentation

The conference will be documented in a report to be disseminated electronically. It will consist of keynote lectures and conclusions from workshops.

Address:

International Collaborative Housing Conference 2010, Div. of Urban & Regional Studies, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden. Email: koll...@gmail.com (click 3 blue dots to get full email), telephone +46 706559483, or fera...@infra.kth.se, telephone +46 8 7908988

See attached leaflet below for full details of programme and speakers.