Quality housing for all! - How organizational models and functional methods in civil society and the public sector combined can enhance housing access.

Research Project, 2023 – 2026

Access to quality housing for all is a major challenge in the housing market. Causes include weak competition and municipal processes that favour large construction companies. Civil society can strengthen the ability of inhabitants to take greater control over the design and quality of the housing environment. However, there is a need for scientific clarification and practical testing of the role of civil society. The aim of the project is to investigate how organizational models and methods of municipalities and civil society in cooperation can contribute to social needs and democratic participation with regard to the living environment. The project is based on three place-based case studies (Northeast Gothenburg, Mariestad, Bottnafjorden) and is organised in three work packages (WPs). WP1, investigates the needs and visions of inhabitants in relation to the living environment. WP2 models alternative spatial structures. WP3 analyses the models and develops proposals for organisational models and methods that can enhance public sectors’ response to social needs and democratic participation. The aim is to contribute to a transformation of Swedish urban and rural development and to demonstrate how civil society, in collaboration with municipalities and businesses, can meet the needs and visions of a larger population. The project contributes to the objectives through system-changing solutions in community planning, housing supply and design of living environments.