Einrichten in der Normalität – Wie Kinder und Jugendliche in Großsiedlungen wohnen

This book, titled Dwelling in Normality, explores the complex realities of large housing estates of the post-war era, challenging prevailing negative perceptions while addressing their renewed relevance in the current housing crisis. It focuses on the often overlooked experiences of children and young people in these estates, highlighting the disconnect between their actual dwelling practices and how they are considered in housing planning and design. The anthology brings together various text and image formats by children and young people, academics from the fields of architecture, urban research, economics, education, and social sciences, as well as former residents of the housing estate, an illustrator, and a photographer. Together, they explore the spatial and structural conditions, as well as the social (im)possibilities of dwelling as a practice.

By focusing on Neu-Hohenschönhausen as a case study and incorporating external perspectives, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the housing conditions in large housing estates. Combining academic research, personal accounts, and visual representations, the anthology aims to contextualize project-specific findings within wider discussions of large housing estates and research involving young people. This approach facilitates dialogue across disciplines, places, times, scales, origins, and generations, revealing the complexity of housing and dwelling experiences. The unique format makes the content relevant and engaging for both academic and non-academic readers with a personal or professional interest in housing issues.