Kraken is living in – or using otherwise – a dwelling without the consent of the owner. Krakers take buildings with the intention of relatively long-term use. Kraken is organized or at least supported and/or inspired by a social movement. The common English translation is "squatting". This translation is somewhat problematic, because the term squatting also covers a short-term use of buildings, for example as crash pads. The notion of relatively long term use, that is part of the concept of kraken, implies that krakers make necessary repairs and invest in basic amenities.

doi.org/10.14324/111.9781787351899, hdl.handle.net/1765/113624
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Pruijt, H. (2019). Kraken - The Netherlands. In Ledeneva, A. (ed.). 2018. The Global Encyclopaedia of Informality: Understanding Social and Cultural Complexity, Volume 2. London: UCL Press. 17-19 (pp. 17–19). doi:10.14324/111.9781787351899