The Commoning Spaces Network fosters community-driven urban spaces, promoting collective management and inclusive practices to transform urban environments into participatory areas that empower local communities.
The Commoning Spaces Network is an organization dedicated to fostering and supporting the creation of shared, community-driven spaces in urban environments. Rooted in the principles of commoning, the network aims to promote collective management and appropriation of urban spaces, challenging traditional notions of public and private ownership. The network's approach is grounded in the belief that common spaces are not merely physical locations but also platforms for social organization and collective action. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge and practices among various stakeholders, the Commoning Spaces Network seeks to empower local communities to reclaim and transform urban spaces into inclusive, participatory environments. Drawing inspiration from diverse urban commoning experiences, such as the City Plaza Hotel in Athens, where refugees and activists co-managed a collective living space, the network emphasizes the importance of self-management and cooperative practices. It argues that common spaces should be understood as thresholds, mediating between different areas and fostering encounters and negotiations among diverse groups. Through its activities, the Commoning Spaces Network aims to contribute to a broader rethinking of urban space as a shared resource, rather than a commodity to be controlled by state or market forces. By promoting a culture of commoning, the network seeks to create more inclusive, equitable, and democratic urban environments. With a focus on European cities, the Commoning Spaces Network offers a platform for those interested in exploring alternative models of urban development and community engagement.