Learning from… Germany | Marieke Kums

Marieke Kums (STUDIO MAKS) is investigating how the housing-cooperative model can develop as a mainstream housing alternative in the Netherlands. Despite the potential of this form of housing, its actual application in the Netherlands is only very gradually getting off the ground. Legal and financial obstacles play an important role here. This is in contrast to Germany where 30 per cent of the housing stock is cooperative. Marieke Kums analyzes the state of affairs in the Netherlands and makes an overview of the factors that stand in the way of the housing-cooperative model. She then examines 12 successful German examples by means of data research, interviews with stakeholders, and site visits. The results are elaborated in a comparative diagram of key factors that she transfers to the Dutch context. The knowledge gained is then applied at two specific locations in Nijmegen and Tilburg by developing concept designs for two housing cooperatives in collaboration with municipalities. She also works together with parties such as Bundesverband Baugemeinschaften, Superuse, Platform31, Cooplink, Vrijcoop, Ecodorp Boekel and Talis Housing Corporation. The results will be included in a digital publication and an animation.