From the hypothetical to the material: Triangulating popular, professional, and political views on medium-density co-housing
Last modified:
This project is generating new knowledge on perceptions of medium density, non-profit housing in suburban neighbourhoods through a modular cohousing prototype.
Jump to Research OutputsHow do suburban neighbourhoods perceive non-profit housing?
This action-research project will generate empirical data on popular perceptions of medium-density, non-profit housing in suburban neighbourhoods through a collaboration with the non-profit developers Échelle Abordable and Village Urbain. A real-world prototype of modular cohousing built in Laval, a suburb of Montreal, serves as a participatory showcase to test social acceptability and dispel misconceptions about non-profit housing.
Project Lead(s):
Home Organization:
McGill University
Community Partner(s):
Funding Stream:
Comparative Project
Project Status:
Ongoing
Background
This project aims to mobilize findings from prior research on scaling up approaches to participatory co-housing, while also developing insight into how innovative and responsive land practices can become more feasible in Canadian metropolitan areas.
Methodology
First, this project will use a modular cohousing prototype to engage diverse publics and key stakeholders through guided tours, workshops, charrettes, and other events, as well as in the prototype production process. Second, alongside enabling Montreal CMA residents to directly experience the co-housing prototype, the project adds carefully calibrated questions and CMA-specific visualisations to online questionnaires which will be rolled out in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to gauge popular attitudes toward medium-density mixed housing in existing neighbourhoods.
Results
This project is ongonig and has generated evidence-based outputs, including a website and film screening.
Research Outputs
Existing reports, presentation materials, podcasts, webinar recordings, and research summaries.
-
Le Dernier Flip: Screening and Housing Research Panel in Montreal | October 30, 2025
Film Screening and Panel
Learn moreJoin us on October 30, 2025 for a screening of Le dernier flip, a compelling documentary on decommodifying housing, followed by a panel discussion featuring housing BSH researchers.
-
Village Urbain- Intergenerational Pavillion
Website
Learn moreThis research generated knowledge on regulatory reform, strategic planning, and financial tools to support the development of affordable co-housing in Canada, focusing on Montréal, helping the local non-profit developer Village Urbain to get its first major construction project underway.
