Environmental strategies analysis of cohousing based on ecological footprint

Cohousing is a type of housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods. In order to reduce construction and living costs, most of cohousing reach a consensus of resource sharing and energy saving on the common values of pro-environment and sustainability. Five dimensions, site planning and design, food consumption, trip mode, resource usage and energy system, enter into environmental strategies analysis and assessment of cohousing based on ecological footprint. It is concluded that compact layout and building size; cutback are direct ways to reduce footprint of cohousing; sharing common meals and resources, less driving and more recycling are proactive and effective environmental strategies by altering behaviors and lifestyle of cohousers; using renewable energy and energy-saving technologies to reduce energy consumption is an active approach conventionally applied in cohousing to reduce human ecological footprint.