Participatory Development Process 

One of the features of cohousing that sets it apart from other living
types is that the future residents are involved and participate in the
planning and design of their future community. In a typical housing
project, the developer hires an architect to design a product that the
developers marketing team can sell. In cohousing, the future residents
work with the architect and developer to create a community that meets
their needs. 

Although not all of the future residents are involved in the planning, the
core group of future residents often build bonds during this process which
form the basis of the future community. By working together to achieve a
mutual goal, the future residents are creating a common history for new
residents to become a part of. The relationships and social community flow
out of the physical process of housing development.