Context and Publisher Information
The document titled "A map of imaginations for broader housing futures" is part of the Housing Justice Provocations Series published by the Hub for Housing Justice. This collaborative initiative involves multiple civil society networks and research organizations aimed at advancing housing justice. The authors include experts from various institutions such as the University of Sheffield, Architecture Sans Frontières UK, and the International Institute for Environment and Development, among others.
Housing Imaginations
The text discusses the concept of ‘housing imaginations’ and how they are influenced by dominant urban visions. It contrasts the neoliberal imaginary of the ‘global city,’ characterized by private investment and luxury developments, with dystopian landscapes resulting from climate inaction and social inequities. The authors argue that current housing ideologies often perpetuate a narrative of inevitability regarding capital-driven housing solutions, sidelining alternative approaches.
Alternative Pathways
The document proposes an alternative map of housing futures that celebrates diverse practices and initiatives across four primary pathways: Repairing, Collectivising, Co-producing knowledge, and Queering spatial arrangements.
Repairing
This pathway includes initiatives aimed at countering housing crises and creating safe spaces. Examples include the occupation of abandoned buildings for low-income housing in Lagos, Nigeria, and radical housing practices in Italy that prioritize community autonomy and well-being over profit.
Collectivising
Collectivising focuses on housing models that reject the individual ownership paradigm. Initiatives such as community land trusts, cooperatives, and social production of habitat in Latin America emphasize social value and community rights over profit.
Co-producing Knowledge
This pathway highlights community-driven data production, which is crucial for informing housing decisions. The "Know Your City" initiative illustrates how slum dwellers can use enumeration and mapping to challenge exclusionary narratives and advocate for their rights.
Queering
The queering pathway addresses housing models that counter patriarchal and heteronormative structures. Examples include the Intersectional City House in Vienna, which fosters an inclusive community for diverse identities, and Oak Lawn Place, a housing project for LGBTQIA+ seniors in Dallas.
Global Examples of Housing Futures
The document presents various global examples of innovative housing initiatives. In Lagos, the occupation of the Nitel building showcases community-led efforts to repurpose abandoned spaces. In Italy, radical housing practices focus on collective ownership and community-led projects. South Africa's Housing Support Centres (HSCs) facilitate community-driven self-building initiatives, while small-scale rental housing in Cape Town addresses affordability issues.
Conclusion
The "A map of imaginations for broader housing futures" serves as a call to reimagine housing possibilities through diverse, inclusive, and sustainable practices. By exploring alternative pathways and celebrating existing initiatives, the document aims to inspire a movement towards equitable housing futures that prioritize community and ecological sustainability.