Book Review: Small is Necessary

The need for sociable, practical and sustainable housing

Does small mean less? Not necessarily. In an era of housing crises, social fragmentation and lack of environmental sustainability, the need for more sociable, affordable and sustainable housing is vital. One response? Shared living - from joint households to land-sharing, cohousing and ecovillages.

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Background Infos

Using successful examples from a range of countries, Anitra Nelson shows how 'eco-collaborative housing' - resident-driven, low-impact living with shared facilities and activities - can address the great social, economic and sustainability challenges that householders and capitalist societies face today. Sharing living spaces and facilities results in householders having more amenities and opportunities for neighborly interaction. Small is Necessary places contemporary models of 'alternative' housing and living at center stage, arguing that they are outward-looking, culturally rich, with low ecological footprints, and offer governance techniques for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Small is Necessary has been published through Pluto Press.