Cohousing Biotope

Biotope Cohousing, located near Dampoort in Gent next to Bijgaardepark, is a collaborative project involving three cohousing groups (De Spore, Wijgaard, and Biotope), a community health center, and the Gent city development company, SOGent. The project aims to prioritize sustainability and social living in the city. The development of Bijgaardehof, the largest cohousing project in Flanders, began in 2015 with architectural design by Bogdan and Van Broeck. Biotope consists of 19 units, housing a diverse group of individuals, including a space for recognized refugees. The project emphasizes communal living and active participation in societal discussions. Inclusivity is a key aspect of Biotope, as it includes a unit dedicated to providing housing for recognized refugees in collaboration with various organizations such as SOI Stedelijk Opvanginitiatief, OCMW, Fedasil, Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, vzw Thope, HEIM-collectief, and Wooncoop. Together, they have created an innovative housing concept for a newcomer family, emphasizing the importance of affordable rental housing. The project highlights the collaborative efforts between government bodies, civil society, and the community over a four-year period, culminating in the provision of a warm living environment for a Sudanese family within the Biotope community. Moreover, Biotope has been recognized for its commitment to sustainable building practices through its adherence to circular construction principles. The project received a subsidy from VLAIO funded by the European Union to promote the circular principles applied at Biotope. This includes the development of informational materials, demonstration projects, tours, and videos focusing on aspects such as material reuse, biodiversity, and water management. The project also explores ways to reduce CO₂ emissions and actively contribute to a sustainable energy transition, leading to its selection as one of the 10 Energieambassadeurs in the province of Oost-Vlaanderen in 2020. Cohousing Biotope is committed to being gas-free and utilizing renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, while continuously monitoring and evaluating its energy efficiency measures. Overall, Biotope Cohousing stands out as a sustainable, circular, and socially conscious living project in Gent, embodying principles of community engagement, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility in its design and operation.