Cooperative Dwelling and Participative Governance.
The Wogeno Case in Zürich
Authors
Dr. Luca LEZZERINI, Department of Research and Development, POLIS University, Albania,
Abstract
Zürich's dwelling costs are very high, and it seems that many city centres are facing the same issue. According to the Smart City Index 2024 from IMD, one of the most recurring issues is the high cost of housing in cities, not only in Zürich, which has been ranking first in this index for many years, but also in many other cities. However, it is precisely in Zürich that a significant, long-running case study exists about cooperative and affordable housing. The research examines the case of Wogeno cooperative housing, investigating its governance model and its integration into a broader network of similar experiences. Started in 1981, it cannot be called a new model, but it is undoubtedly a reliable one, ensuring lower costs for housing and
effective management of complex condominium facilities, which include not only apartments but also commercial and professional spaces. The research is based on a literature review and direct on-site evaluation, as well as discussions with key players and ordinary people who are stakeholders. The research summarises all these materials and defines a SWOT analysis, as well as a simple roadmap to replicate the experience elsewhere. Additionally, the impact on urban planning and urban policies is examined, and summary guidelines are provided for both.
Keywords
Cohousing, sustainable dwelling, urban planning, urban policies, governance
