So What's "Cohousing" and Who's Creating It In Pittsburgh?
Cohousing communities were first developed in Denmark in the late
1970s to revive community in neighborhoods. Of course, once
community minded Americans got wind of this concept in the late
80s, it didn't take long before the first Cohousing community was up
and running in 1991. By mid 2005 there were nearly 80 established
Cohousing communities in the U.S. and another 51 now in the
development stage including The Pittsburgh Cohousing Group,
which started meeting in the spring of 2005.
Cohousing communities are not religiously or politically based, they
are simply intentional neighborhoods where members/residents
agree to be good neighbors, to look out for each other, and be
good friends.
Members live independently in their own homes but have the
unique convenience of a common house centered near the homes
in which to share community dinners and socialize have access to
shared resources like a fitness center, repair or create 'shops', and
other inventive spaces.
Cohousing communities were first developed in Denmark in the late
1970s to revive community in neighborhoods. Of course, once
community minded Americans got wind of this concept in the late
80s, it didn't take long before the first Cohousing community was up
and running in 1991. By mid 2005 there were nearly 80 established
Cohousing communities in the U.S. and another 51 now in the
development stage including The Pittsburgh Cohousing Group,
which started meeting in the spring of 2005.
Cohousing communities are not religiously or politically based, they
are simply intentional neighborhoods where members/residents
agree to be good neighbors, to look out for each other, and be
good friends.
Members live independently in their own homes but have the
unique convenience of a common house centered near the homes
in which to share community dinners and socialize have access to
shared resources like a fitness center, repair or create 'shops', and
other inventive spaces.
WHO ARE WE?
We are a group of talented and diverse Pittsburghers including a professor, desktop publisher,
physicist, energy professional, software engineer, radio producer, life coach, social worker, architect, accountant,
business consultant, psychotherapist, artists, writers and musicians, so far!
OUR VISION?
Is to be a cooperative, with an ecologically responsible and diverse neighborhood of 25-30 households,
representing a variety of ages, professions, family structures, and ethnic, cultural and spiritual backgrounds.
Our vision is in the workings, but definitely includes supporting each other in growth and in the times of difficulty. We
share the desire to dramatically cut our carbon footprint and reduce energy bills compared to typical housing and
further reduce the ecological impact by conserving water, creating permeable surfaces and maybe growing some of
our food, etc. We would like to share resources, like cars and tools, and share the outdoor maintenance tasks to
create a beautiful and wholesome living environment. We expect to create a neighborhood of 20-25 households,
representing a variety of ages, professions, family structures, and ethnic, cultural and spiritual backgrounds. For
further on vision, please check http://zeddup.wordpress.com/our-draft-ecocommunity-vision/
WHAT'S THE DESIGN PLAN?
We will plan, design, and manage our cohousing community, which will include:
• A cluster of affordable homes
• Energy efficient, ‘green’ construction
• A balance of private and common spaces
• A common house available for activities such as fitness, community dinners, movie nights, games, crafts,
meetings and musical events
• Community space for playground, gardens, and open space for socializing
• Roads and parking at the perimeter with central walking paths
WHERE WILL THE COMMUNITY BE LOCATED?
We are researching sites in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Site requirements include two acres or more, access
to public transportation and close to shopping, cultural events and other activities. We have established a
relationship with a local developer who has a special interest in cohousing communities. We are initiating a formal
working relationship with him once we are ready to look at sites.
WHEN DO WE START THE SEARCH?
We are very close to having the required number of committed households
in order to begin site searching. There's still room for a few adventurous souls to join us now who want to be able to
say they were "there from the beginning".
JOIN US:
Join us to continue to develop the vision for this cooperative neighborhood.
• Plan to celebrate life with us in a safe community, which shares resources, some meals, and activities where
neighbors are friends
• Support and participate in a community, with abundant green space, that values ecological responsibility and
plans to take it to the next level in the execution. For details, please see:
http://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghcohousing/Home/i/selection-of-green-technologies
• Become part of a community of diverse backgrounds, ages and families
• We schedule Orientations as required, and we conduct monthly business/potluck dinner meetings
We are a group of talented and diverse Pittsburghers including a professor, desktop publisher,
physicist, energy professional, software engineer, radio producer, life coach, social worker, architect, accountant,
business consultant, psychotherapist, artists, writers and musicians, so far!
OUR VISION?
Is to be a cooperative, with an ecologically responsible and diverse neighborhood of 25-30 households,
representing a variety of ages, professions, family structures, and ethnic, cultural and spiritual backgrounds.
Our vision is in the workings, but definitely includes supporting each other in growth and in the times of difficulty. We
share the desire to dramatically cut our carbon footprint and reduce energy bills compared to typical housing and
further reduce the ecological impact by conserving water, creating permeable surfaces and maybe growing some of
our food, etc. We would like to share resources, like cars and tools, and share the outdoor maintenance tasks to
create a beautiful and wholesome living environment. We expect to create a neighborhood of 20-25 households,
representing a variety of ages, professions, family structures, and ethnic, cultural and spiritual backgrounds. For
further on vision, please check http://zeddup.wordpress.com/our-draft-ecocommunity-vision/
WHAT'S THE DESIGN PLAN?
We will plan, design, and manage our cohousing community, which will include:
• A cluster of affordable homes
• Energy efficient, ‘green’ construction
• A balance of private and common spaces
• A common house available for activities such as fitness, community dinners, movie nights, games, crafts,
meetings and musical events
• Community space for playground, gardens, and open space for socializing
• Roads and parking at the perimeter with central walking paths
WHERE WILL THE COMMUNITY BE LOCATED?
We are researching sites in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Site requirements include two acres or more, access
to public transportation and close to shopping, cultural events and other activities. We have established a
relationship with a local developer who has a special interest in cohousing communities. We are initiating a formal
working relationship with him once we are ready to look at sites.
WHEN DO WE START THE SEARCH?
We are very close to having the required number of committed households
in order to begin site searching. There's still room for a few adventurous souls to join us now who want to be able to
say they were "there from the beginning".
JOIN US:
Join us to continue to develop the vision for this cooperative neighborhood.
• Plan to celebrate life with us in a safe community, which shares resources, some meals, and activities where
neighbors are friends
• Support and participate in a community, with abundant green space, that values ecological responsibility and
plans to take it to the next level in the execution. For details, please see:
http://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghcohousing/Home/i/selection-of-green-technologies
• Become part of a community of diverse backgrounds, ages and families
• We schedule Orientations as required, and we conduct monthly business/potluck dinner meetings
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