For two years, I have enjoyed living in Wij_land, a CPO on Centrumeiland, IJburg in Amsterdam. I would like to share my experiences of living in Wij_land and what Nonviolent Communication can do in a CPO.
What is a CPO and what is Wij_land?
CPO in Dutch stands for Collective Private Commissioning, a housing model where future residents collectively act as the developers for their own new-build project. Wij_land is a CPO in Amsterdam, where a group of residents has joined forces to live sustainably within an engaged community.
The project originated from the vision of initiators Mireille Capiau and Daniël Bakker, who realized their dream together with Space&Matter and Common City. Through their dedication and the help of designers and process facilitators, they succeeded in bringing together a group of pragmatic idealists to realize the project.
After years of intensive collaboration, in which we created, laughed, and cheered together, but also cried and cursed, there is now a beautiful climate-adaptive residential building by the water, with 26 homes and five communal spaces. The result is a building that not only offers affordable housing but has also brought together a diverse community of residents. The homes vary in size, from 50 m² to 120 m², and provide space for single people as well as young families and older residents.
Designed for connection and meeting
What makes Wij_land unique is the emphasis on connection. In addition to the private homes, there are several communal spaces where residents can meet, collaborate, and relax.
- The courtyard and roof garden are green oases where we can garden together, have barbecues, or simply enjoy nature.
- The Orangerie on the top floor is a bright, multi-functional space designed to promote interaction. It is the ideal place for social events, meetings, dinners, or as a co-working space for residents.
- Additionally, there is a guest apartment where friends or family of residents can stay.
- The ground floor houses the Workshop Space, which I can use for my Nonviolent Communication training and Mindfulness. Other resident activities also take place here, and the proceeds from renting out the space benefit the resident group.
What makes our CPO truly special is the mutual support we offer each other. We are not just neighbors, but a community that helps one another whenever necessary. Whether it is borrowing tools, help with chores, or babysitting children and pets — we are there for each other.
As a single father of three children, I appreciate the extra space and sense of belonging that living in Wij_land offers us. My children can play outside and grow up in a safe and social environment, surrounded by other children and residents. The support of my neighbors enriches our family life enormously.
Nonviolent communication in a CPO
The road to our new home was not always easy. In the years before we moved into our homes, we met regularly to share our dreams and expectations. However, the construction phase presented us with several challenges. We had to collaborate during times of COVID-19 measures, staff shortages, and rising costs due to the war in Ukraine. This put considerable pressure on us as a group. Not everyone from the original group reached the finish line, and at times it proved difficult to bring all the different wishes and expectations together. Yet, it also provided space for new residents to join and add their energy and ideas.
A large number of residents took the training in Nonviolent Communication, which proved to be of enormous value to the process. Nonviolent Communication helps not only to resolve conflicts but also to treat each other with more respect and understanding. By focusing on each other’s needs and empathetic listening, we have strengthened our mutual bond, and it has become easier to make decisions together. It is remarkable to see how residents with diverse backgrounds and views share their unique ideas and passions with one another.
Watch a video here in which the residents of Wij_land share their stories:
This video is part of a short documentary titled “A House for Everyone.” Watch the video here: