Show Me the Common Space: How Can the Design of Shared Space Facilitate Economic and Social Value in High-Density Housing?

Urban intensive housing is predominantly developer-led in Aotearoa New Zealand resulting in an absence of quality shared space that limits opportunity for residents to build community. Collective housing addresses issues of isolation and loneliness associated with individualised housing, which is mostly seen in intentional communities with formal social structures. This research investigates social and economic benefits of shared spaces in urban collective housing. It focuses on fostering neighbourhood social ties through informal social exchanges. The methodology follows a comparative analysis of a proposed developer-led housing project in Christchurch identifying the extent and spatial distribution of public, common and private space. 26 Aroha demonstrates the economic value of shared space in collective housing with 27% common space. Its above market rentals and waiting list highlight the need for more community-centric urban intensive housing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Design-led research emphasises the importance of semi-private design elements and buffer zones in establishing boundaries between walkways and private space. The functional qualities of common rooms and their connection to walkways are important for enhancing the potential for chance interactions. There is a link between social capital and self-management demonstrated in cohousing. A suggested maximum of 25 households is identified, resulting in a series of micro-communities distributed throughout a large-scale housing complex. Cluster apartments is another significant model presented in the final concept. The final design concept findings demonstrate 28% common space, 60% private space and 12% public space as the sweet spot to efficiently facilitate community activity for residents who otherwise would not have the chance to connect.