Beyond the Dorm: Co-living, Cohousing, and the Evolution of Shared Space
pplpod · pplpod
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Show Notes
In this episode of pplpod, we explore the history and future of living together. We trace the lineage of shared accommodation from the 5th-century cells of Nalanda and medieval halls of Oxford to the massive skyscraper "dormitowers" of the modern university experience.
We break down the critical differences between the corporate "co-living" boom—often dubbed "adult dorms" for digital nomads—and the democratic, resident-led movement of "cohousing" that originated in 1960s Denmark.
Join us as we discuss:
• The Student Model: How university housing evolved from strict collegiate systems and fraternities to massive purpose-built villages and high-rises.
• Cohousing vs. Co-living: Why one is about "intentional community" and self-governance where neighbors manage the property, while the other focuses on convenience and flexible leases managed by commercial operators.
• The Modern Shift: How rising rents, housing shortages, and loneliness are driving a global return to communal living, from Singapore to San Francisco.
• The Controversy: Does corporate co-living solve housing crises, or does it accelerate gentrification?.