Coop Colloquium 12: Affordable and Sustainable Housing – Providing Housing Solutions through Cooperative Models – International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific

Coop Colloquium 12: Affordable and Sustainable Housing – Providing Housing Solutions through Cooperative Models

Coop Colloquium 12
February 25, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM IST
Online
Register Here

Background

The International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Committee on Cooperative Research, as part of its initiative to promote academic dialogue on relevant and current issues in cooperative research, is organizing the 12th edition of the Coop Colloquium in collaboration with Cooperative Housing International and Development Alternatives. The committee is pleased to present Coop Colloquium 12 under the theme: “Affordable and Sustainable Housing: Providing Housing Solutions through Cooperative Models.” In light of the growing global housing crisis, the colloquium will explore how cooperative housing can serve as a sustainable and community-driven solution.

The global housing crisis is escalating, currently affecting approximately 1.6 billion people and projected to reach 3 billion by 2030. According to UN-Habitat, an estimated 96,000 affordable homes will need to be constructed every single day to meaningfully alleviate this crisis. Key factors contributing to this challenge include rapid urbanization, declining public investment in housing, and the financialization of housing—a process that has transformed housing from a basic human need into a speculative investment asset.

In this context, the colloquium highlights the central role of cooperative housing in addressing the global housing crisis while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. Cooperative housing models are community-driven, affordable, and environmentally sustainable, fostering social cohesion and long-term resilience.

This panel discussion will bring together researchers and experts to explore how cooperative and community-oriented housing can offer innovative, practical, and scalable solutions. The session will feature case studies and best practices from regions spanning the Middle East to Australia, showcasing diverse approaches to tackling the growing global demand for affordable and sustainable housing.

Cooperative Housing Models: A Focus on Affordable and Sustainable Housing

Cooperative housing offers a holistic, community-centric approach to tackling two of the most pressing global challenges today: worsening social and economic inequality and limited access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and housing. These priorities are central to the International Cooperative Alliance’s (ICA) strategic vision of promoting equity, inclusivity, and sustainability through innovative and community-driven solutions.

Aligned with the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” the colloquium further emphasizes the transformative potential of cooperatives in housing. As part of the global cooperative movement, housing cooperatives stand as a testament to the resilience and sustainability of community-led solutions. The event will highlight successful cooperative housing models and the policies that facilitate their growth, reinforcing the significance of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development goals.

By showcasing these insights, the colloquium aims to position cooperative housing as a scalable, adaptable solution to meet the world’s growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing.

Registration

We invite participants to join this engaging discussion and explore pathways to tackle the housing crisis through cooperative solutions. Register here. Registered participants will receive the webinar details one day before the event.