Living with strangers: exploring motivations and stated preferences for considering co-housing and shared living in Bergen, Norway

In recent decades, there has been a growing interest among urban residents, policy makers, and researchers in co-housing as socially, environmentally, sustainable housing alternative. Norway, however, is still relatively unknown niche option the general population. This paper presents qualitative research study of potential residents’ stated preferences underlying motivation concerning shared living Norway. We conducted ten semi-structured interviews with residents for pilot project city Bergen, analyzed data using thematic analysis categorized different motivational reasons preferences. The mix age groups sample contributed to understanding differences similarities preferences, well likelihood converting into action. found that pragmatism social were main drivers co-housing. Although environmental concerns ranked second, they consistently prevalent participants. Esthetics – example, “wow factor” emphasized important building