Tracing Hidden Trajectories Reflections on Researching Under the Radar Renovation Practices

Abstract

Homeownership has been a focal point in past and current policies in Flanders. At least 4% of households are confronted with inadequate housing quality and major renovation needs without being able to make thorough changes to their living situation. I am looking into informal renovation trajectories among distressed homeowners. The aim is to uncover how these practices emerge outside formal renovation systems, to identify thresholds in existing support initiatives, and to reflect on the potential role of the design community -particularly architects - in this context. The research is taking place in a region near Antwerp. A project with distressed homeowners is already running in the case study area, allowing me to get in touch with residents through a collaboration with the involved organisation. In this essay I will go deeper into the envisaged methodological trajectory - actor mapping, interviews with non-residents and residents, house visits and participatory action research - while leaving several open questions.