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Enabling and embedding circularity goals in housing cooperatives
Wim Van Opstal1,2, Nancy Bocken2, Jan Brusselaers3
1Unit of Sustainable Materials and Chemistry, VITO, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances
|September 8, 2025
Summary
Housing cooperatives can advance the circular economy in urban development by leveraging collective ownership and participatory governance. This model aids in implementing circular strategies, despite facing challenges like complex decision-making and financing barriers.
Area of Science:
- Urban Sustainability
- Circular Economy
- Housing Cooperatives
Background:
- Transitioning to a circular economy is crucial for sustainable and resilient cities.
- Housing cooperatives offer potential structural advantages for circularity but are underexplored in this context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cooperative governance influences the implementation of circular strategies in housing.
- To assess the institutional advantages and limitations of cooperatives in enabling circular transitions.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with housing professionals, cooperative representatives, service providers, and policymakers.
- Analysis of cooperative governance's impact on circular design, product-service systems, and shared resource models.
Main Results:
- Housing cooperatives can overcome market failures and split incentives via collective ownership, long-term planning, and participatory governance.
- These features facilitate lifecycle investments, bundled procurement, and shared infrastructure.
- Challenges include complex decision-making, limited finance access, and regulatory hurdles.
Conclusions:
- Cooperative housing models can support circular innovation and urban sustainability.
- Understanding boundary conditions is key for aligning stakeholders and embedding circular strategies in cooperative housing.
- This research informs community-based approaches to climate and resource challenges.
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