Housing has become increasingly out of reach in major cities worldwide for skilled professionals and families alike. In this episode, architect Clara G reveals how cooperative housing models in Barcelona, Vienna, and India are creating permanently affordable homes through community stewardship rather than traditional ownership.
Her vision combines time-tested cooperative models with blockchain technology to make housing accessible through collective purchasing power and innovative financing. By removing homes from the speculative market while preserving inheritance rights, these alternative ownership models aim to establish permanently affordable housing solutions.
Most importantly, Clara outlines concrete steps for anyone to get involved—from joining tenant unions to forming housing cooperatives. She shares proven examples of success, including Vienna's public housing program, which serves 60 percent of residents. In Barcelona's model, leasing public land for 100 years reduces costs by 20 to 30 percent. Additional savings come through strategies she discusses, such as community-driven construction, flexible design optimization, and modular units.
Connect with Clara: https://x.com/claragromaches
Her website: https://claragromaches.com/
Check out the links discussed during the show below.
Progress Reimagined explores how we can harness technology to create a future where both humanity and our planet thrive. In each episode, we challenge conventional thinking about progress, examining how we can build a more inclusive, sustainable, and flourishing world through purposeful innovation.
Key Terms:
Housing Commons - Collectively owned and managed housing resources
Stewardship Model - Rights-based approach to housing instead of ownership Regenerative Design - Architecture that integrates with and restores natural systems Community Land Trust - Non-profit organization owning land for affordable housing Cosmolocal - Global knowledge sharing with local implementation
Links:
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