Tolga Kologlu

Philanthropie? Rethinking social housing through the commons

'Philanthropie?' stems from concerns regarding the decreasing Right to the City, the suppression of social life and growing isolation and inequalities in Western neoliberal cities. In Brussels, among other places, a housing crisis coexists alongside extreme rates of vacancy—the right to private property is valued over one's fundamental human right to housing. The presence of social housing in the city centre is decreasing, as several complexes in precarious condition are threatened by demolition—and their inhabitants with displacement—largely due to a lack of care. The ‘Rue Haute’ site, a post-war social housing complex in the centre of Brussels, is an example thereof. Based on the premise that a deeper, more qualitative rethinking of social housing is required to tackle these issues meaningfully while preserving and revaluing as much as possible of the existing , the project consists of various interventions guided by principles of commoning.

More information

• Master thesis 'Philanthropie? Rethinking social housing through the commons'