SQUAT FIRST

/MAKE NICE/

ASK FORGIVENESS LATER

02-03.2022

Squatting took off in the 1960s due to growing frustration with the housing market. The more well-known squatting actions were often to send a message; There are plenty of empty buildings, yet there is a lack of affordable living space. We as people have a right to this living space, so if you will not give it to us, we will take it.

According to the experience of Tomi, a member of Doe-het-zelf Werkplaats cooperative, who acknowledges their attitude to squatting in an architectural aspect, the key to the sustaining appropriation of the vacant lot is to build it up gradually.

The first step is getting an insight into the neighborhood, the field research. What sites are available for further development, with no plans for investment? Who is the owner? Usually, big companies are more forgiving in the field of squatting, as opposed to private owners of residences that keep a close eye on their properties and have strong motives regarding their ownership. The next phase involves proving you’re worthy of keeping. In the relationship squatter-neighbors-municipality, the dynamics of give-and-take play a crucial role. While illegally occupying a space, squats add a very specific, non-commercial value to the sense of community. Upkeeping a location, creating an activity pocket of the neighborhood, and connecting people of different backgrounds in a non-invasive way can be an initiator for discussion about the benefits. While appropriating someone else’s property, you also offer generous input in the form of a collective initiative that benefits the community. To get the trust of your neighbors, you have to keep the appropriate space tidy. Make sure this place is welcoming for the community, not completely enclosed. Offering shared space, and opening the doors for others up to a point makes you appear as if you have nothing dangerous to hide. Gradually building up doesn’t draw too much attention to the site, and is not as

site, and is not as the site, and is not as invasive as building a hut overnight, giving the possibility for the people to get used to the new settings. You have laid out a provisional flooring, which doesn’t interrupt the environment but adds value, so nobody is too bothered about it. Further, you add a DIY roofing solution, that gives a shelter for activities happening there. Then, if no one is alarmed, you can put up a little fence that sets a boundary to the squatted place. Later on, you can improve the flooring, which is a less temporal solution. Also, if you get evicted at an early stage of appropriation, there is not much you leave behind. Neighbors already had a chance to enjoy a new setting in their environment and approve of the communal value it gives them. You have bonded with them, creating a sort of relationship and trust. When they can back you up in the discussion with the actual owner of the property, investors will see it as a chance to build up the social aspect of their investment portfolio, agreeing for you to stay there and maybe even signing a contract securing you from eviction.

At this point, the municipality cannot do much, except to inspect the safety regulations, so that it does not endanger anyone. Security matters are not a pressing issue, as society respects and approve your actions in a peaceful relationship. Incidents of vandalism are less often, and not personally directed putting you at risk, but more of the innocent juvenile acting up. If the acts of vandalism are occurring repeatedly you should check again your connections and relationships with your neighbors.