Urban Development and Housing

In our cultural complex, a house is part of the basic rights for every human being. Hence, the provision of adequate housing for the population is an essential basis for the solidarity and social peace in a society. In view of high unemployment rates and increasing social segregation, the provision of housing to the people concerned represents a special socio-political challenge. As the limits of governmental support for house-building have been reached, co-operative housing programs offer sound and future orientated solutions.

In developing countries, the majority of the poor population lives in metropolitan areas under appalling hygienic and environmental conditions. Often, municipal authorities are not able to cope with the critical housing shortage and the lack of a social infrastructure. Suitable models of urban development need to be elaborated and implemented by involving the population concerned. This is a sensible contribution to temper the detrimental economic, social and ecological effects of an ongoing concentration.

EDI investigates the demographic, economic and social structures in order to reliably identify the current situation and the specific problems of people.

EDI conducts surveys and analyses in order to ascertain the demand for housing as well as for social infrastructure and services.

EDI elaborates concepts for suitable house building and urban development using the necessary economic, technical and social know-how ・considering particularly co-operative approaches. EDI makes projections for the financial consequences of alternative concepts.

EDI promotes and supports the co-operation between municipal authorities and the local population regarding the planning and implementation of neighborhood and district oriented projects as well as measures for the upgrading of slums. EDI develops programs for the information and awareness increase of particular target groups.