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Community, work and sustainability : redefining work through cohousing

Rauscher, Teresa LU (2013) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM01 20131
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract (German)
Das vorherrschende Verständnis des Konzeptes „Arbeit“ schließt unbezahlte Tätigkeiten wie Versorgungs-, individuelle oder Gemeinschaftsarbeit aus, obwohl diese entscheidend für Wirtschaft und Alltag sind. Da dieser Fokus auf bezahlte Arbeit auch zu Problemen hinsichtlich sozialer und ökologischer Nachhaltigkeit führt, muss Arbeit neu definiert werden. Die Wohnform Cohousing wurde aus der Überzeugung entwickelt, dass durch eine kollektive Organisation mit einem spezifischen sozialen Umfeld, Versorgungsarbeit erleichtert und anerkannt wird. Daher untersucht diese Masterarbeit anhand von Interviews mit Cohousing-Experten sowie Beobachtungen und Fokusgruppen-Interviews mit zwei Cohäusern in Österreich und Schweden wie Cohousing zu einem... (More)
Das vorherrschende Verständnis des Konzeptes „Arbeit“ schließt unbezahlte Tätigkeiten wie Versorgungs-, individuelle oder Gemeinschaftsarbeit aus, obwohl diese entscheidend für Wirtschaft und Alltag sind. Da dieser Fokus auf bezahlte Arbeit auch zu Problemen hinsichtlich sozialer und ökologischer Nachhaltigkeit führt, muss Arbeit neu definiert werden. Die Wohnform Cohousing wurde aus der Überzeugung entwickelt, dass durch eine kollektive Organisation mit einem spezifischen sozialen Umfeld, Versorgungsarbeit erleichtert und anerkannt wird. Daher untersucht diese Masterarbeit anhand von Interviews mit Cohousing-Experten sowie Beobachtungen und Fokusgruppen-Interviews mit zwei Cohäusern in Österreich und Schweden wie Cohousing zu einem erweiterten Verständnis von Arbeit beiträgt. Die Studie zeigt, dass in Cohousing der Schlüssel zu einer Neudefinition von Arbeit seine Gemeinschaftsarbeit ist. Diese findet auf einer intermediären Ebene, d.h. zwischen der privaten Familie und dem öffentlichen Bereich, statt. Gemeinschaftsarbeit, die sichtbar, erfreulich und anerkannt ist, wird durch eine spezifische Struktur, einem physischen Raum und einer gut funktionierenden Gemeinschaft von einer bestimmten Größe erleichtert. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht es eine gerechtere Verteilung der Arbeit zwischen Frauen und Männern, erleichtert Familienarbeit, ermöglicht finanzielle Einsparungen und stärkt die Gruppe. (Less)
Abstract
The prevailing view on work excludes unpaid activities like care, individual or community work although they are crucial for economy and everyday life. Because the focus on paid work also leads to both social and environmental unsustainability, work has to be redefined. Cohousing evolved from the belief that through a collective organisation with a specific built and social environment, care work can become appreciated and facilitated. Hence, this thesis examines how cohousing today contributes to an extended view on work through a qualitative analysis of interviews with cohousing experts as well as participant observations of and focus group interviews with two cohouses in Austria and Sweden. The study shows that in cohousing the key to a... (More)
The prevailing view on work excludes unpaid activities like care, individual or community work although they are crucial for economy and everyday life. Because the focus on paid work also leads to both social and environmental unsustainability, work has to be redefined. Cohousing evolved from the belief that through a collective organisation with a specific built and social environment, care work can become appreciated and facilitated. Hence, this thesis examines how cohousing today contributes to an extended view on work through a qualitative analysis of interviews with cohousing experts as well as participant observations of and focus group interviews with two cohouses in Austria and Sweden. The study shows that in cohousing the key to a redefinition of work is its community work, taking place at an intermediary level which is located between the private family and public spheres. Community work is more visible, pleasant and appreciated which is facilitated by a particular structure, physical space and a well-functioning community of a certain size. Furthermore, it allows a fairer distribution of work between women and men, facilitates family work, enables financial savings and strengthens the group. This study aims to reinforce the discussion of redefining work within Sustainability Science, where it is not a major topic despite its complex and transdisciplinary nature. By giving a practical approach to a redefinition of work, the findings contribute to an understanding of work and support the further development of cohousing. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rauscher, Teresa LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM01 20131
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
cohousing, redefining work, Mischarbeit, mixed work, community work Gemeinschaftsarbeit, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2013:002
language
English
id
3810918
date added to LUP
2013-06-19 15:50:08
date last changed
2013-06-19 15:50:08
@misc{3810918,
  abstract     = {{The prevailing view on work excludes unpaid activities like care, individual or community work although they are crucial for economy and everyday life. Because the focus on paid work also leads to both social and environmental unsustainability, work has to be redefined. Cohousing evolved from the belief that through a collective organisation with a specific built and social environment, care work can become appreciated and facilitated. Hence, this thesis examines how cohousing today contributes to an extended view on work through a qualitative analysis of interviews with cohousing experts as well as participant observations of and focus group interviews with two cohouses in Austria and Sweden. The study shows that in cohousing the key to a redefinition of work is its community work, taking place at an intermediary level which is located between the private family and public spheres. Community work is more visible, pleasant and appreciated which is facilitated by a particular structure, physical space and a well-functioning community of a certain size. Furthermore, it allows a fairer distribution of work between women and men, facilitates family work, enables financial savings and strengthens the group. This study aims to reinforce the discussion of redefining work within Sustainability Science, where it is not a major topic despite its complex and transdisciplinary nature. By giving a practical approach to a redefinition of work, the findings contribute to an understanding of work and support the further development of cohousing.}},
  author       = {{Rauscher, Teresa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Community, work and sustainability : redefining work through cohousing}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}