Introduction to Hallenwohnen Study
The paper by M. Khatibi, published in the Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, investigates the first legal hall‑dwelling initiative in Switzerland – Hallenwohnen in Zurich. This case study examines how a formerly unauthorised, self‑managed housing collective transitioned into a recognised, legally compliant form, offering insights relevant to pan‑European sustainable housing debates.
Legalisation Process and Governance
Hallenwohnen originated as a squatted hall dwelling in the 1990s, later gaining legal status through a negotiated agreement with municipal authorities. The study details the governance model, which combines cooperative principles with municipal oversight, enabling residents to retain self‑management while complying with building regulations. This hybrid arrangement illustrates a pathway for informal settlements to achieve legitimacy without sacrificing communal autonomy.
Sustainability Features and Environmental Impact
The hall dwelling’s design incorporates adaptive reuse of an existing industrial structure, substantially reducing the embodied carbon associated with new construction. Energy consumption is lowered through shared facilities, passive heating, and community‑wide initiatives such as collective waste reduction and composting. Quantitative data show a 30 % reduction in per‑capita energy use compared to conventional apartments in Zurich.
Social Cohesion and Community Benefits
Survey results indicate high levels of resident satisfaction, with 84 % reporting strong social ties and a sense of belonging. The collective’s participatory decision‑making processes foster inclusive governance, contributing to lower turnover rates and enhanced neighbourhood stability. These social outcomes align with broader European goals of fostering resilient, inclusive communities.
Economic Aspects and Affordability
The transition to legal status enabled access to public subsidies and low‑interest loans, reducing rent levels by approximately 20 % relative to market rates. The study provides a cost‑benefit analysis showing that the initial investment in legalisation yields long‑term savings for both residents and the municipality through reduced enforcement costs and increased tax revenues.
Replicability and Policy Implications
Khatibi identifies key preconditions for replicating the Hallenwohnen model across Europe: supportive municipal frameworks, clear legal pathways for informal housing, and the presence of strong resident organisations. The paper recommends policy instruments such as flexible zoning, grant programmes for retrofitting, and legal tools that recognise cooperative ownership structures.
European Relevance and Future Directions
The Hallenwohnen case contributes empirical evidence to the discourse on sustainable urban housing, demonstrating how legal recognition of collective living can simultaneously address environmental, social, and economic objectives. The findings encourage European cities to consider cooperative retrofits of existing structures as a viable strategy for expanding affordable, low‑impact housing stock.