Cohousing Dendra

Dendra, the plural form of the Greek dendron, means trees. Trees are steadfast and strong, yet flexible and yielding in the wind. They offer protection through their branches and shade. Trees play an important role in creating living communities for plants, animals and humans alike.

On the site of a former tree nursery in Malle, a new community will take shape — a new small hamlet where residents can find their own place, feel at home, and live together with respect for, and in connection with, nature and one another.

Most contemporary urban developments consist of traditional subdivisions for housing or apartments, often with only limited shared outdoor space or greenery, and accessed via public roads. Residents tend to live next to one another rather than with one another; ownership is valued more than sharing. The Dendra project aims to be a different kind of development — one that puts into practice the principles of the Beleidsplan Ruimte Vlaanderen. It is shaped around the needs of people and nature, encouraging communal living and interaction between residents without compromising privacy.