Social Dimensions of Co-living in Swedish Urban Settings

Abstract

This thesis explores how residents, exclusively students, of coliving spaces in Sweden experience social life and resource sharing, using the conceptual lenses of social experience, the sharing economy, and identity negotiation in access-based consumption. Drawing on social experience and the principles of the sharing economy, the study examines how communal living arrangements reshape everyday practices and perceptions of consumption, community, and selfhood. The research is based on twelve semi-structured interviews with residents across Swedish coliving settings. Thematic analysis revealed key insights into social connectivity, affordability, cultural negotiation, conflict resolution, and temporariness in shared living. Findings show that while coliving offers emotional support, sustainability, and personal growth, it also involves navigating tensions around privacy, responsibility, and authenticity. The study contributes to ongoing debates about alternative housing models in urban environments and highlights how coliving functions not only as a practical solution to housing challenges but also as a transformative socio-cultural experience.