MODA’s Director Dr Kamal Rasul has been awarded a bursary by Building and Social Housing Foundation to participate in a week-long study visit to Solar Hosuing Renovation project in Gardsten, Sweden in May 2006.

The study visit, which expected to involve visitors from all parts f the globe, will provide a unique opportunity to explore the role of innovative community housing projects , local environment and tenants’ participation in contributing to sustainable cohesive local communities. The wonderful innovative aspects of this unique important project will undoubtedly be admired and enriched by the international visitors and provide stimulation and inspiration for exchange of ideas, information and experiences. We hope to share some interesting aspects of the visit with the readers of MODA E-Bulletin and in the next issue of MODA’s magazine.

The Solar Housing Renovation in Gårdsten project consists of the restoration of 255 apartments in ten buildings arranged in courtyard formation. Each courtyard has been defined as a ‘social and technical unit’ for the 80 - 90 households living in the buildings surrounding it and the courtyard spaces have been developed to facilitate greater interaction and cooperation between the residents. The involvement of all local residents was an important element of the project and they were involved from the earliest stages, with an empty apartment set aside for liaison with the architects and housing company about their future homes and living environment. The residents were organised into groups to deal with special tasks such as safety issues, community rooms and facilities. The architects cooperated with the residents during the design phase, especially with respect to community areas and facilities.

For further information about the project click here.

Click here to read Part III, Part II and Part I.

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