Abstract (eng)
An increasing number of collaborative housing projects is currently being realized in Europe and Vienna is no exception to this trend. This thesis is an initial attempt to investigate the impact collaborative housing has on its surrounding urban environment. The present study fills a gap in the literature by examining this issue in the under-researched context of Vienna. Data for this research were gathered by applying a single-case study design, in combination with a mixed-method approach. The empirical research was designed to investigate three different perspectives: (1) the municipal, (2) the residents’, and (3) the wider neighborhood’s perspective. First, the municipal perspective showed that the city of Vienna expects an added value of collaborative housing projects, which could manifest itself either physically (e.g. through hybrid ground floor zones) or socially (e.g. through the organization of events). Second, the perspective of collaborative housing residents yielded that the impact on the neighborhood can basically occur on three levels: the physical level, the actor network level, and the individual level. Third, the wider neighborhood’s perspective showed that collaborative housing projects’ commercial spaces contribute considerably to their positive perception. These findings have important implications for local policy makers, as they provide tentative evidence for the claimed positive impact and, thus, a first basis for the subsidization of projects. The conclusions drawn are also relevant for future collaborative housing groups who want to impact their neighborhood.