Public Space as Commons – P2P Foundation

A visit to a urban commons in Ghent: the NEST experiment

Michel Bauwens — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 07:00:00 +0000

This spring, in preparation of the crafting of the Commons Transition Plan for the city of Ghent, we mapped out nearly 500 urban commons that are commoning the infrastructures that we need for a social-ecological transition. One of the things that the city does well is using temporary empty space for collective use, and one of the most innovative projects is that of the NEST, a vacant library with 8 levels. What is particularly original is that this project was initiated not through a classic competitive call that pits one against the other, but by a ‘call for common’, i.e. the project devolved to a coalition that was able to craft a common plan and even a contributive accounting scheme for the rent, in just one month. Here is a travel report from visitors from the Brussels commons.

An acupuncture point for urban commons: the Nest at Ghent, Belgium

By Michel Renard and Alain Ruche from EsCo (Espaces et Coopération), Brussels
Ghent, 28 June 2017

Today we had the privilege of being welcomed by Evi Swinnen, one of the leading figures of NEST, an experiment that began this month in Ghent, a small Belgian city already outstanding in several ways. Evi is not a newcomer in dealing with the Commons and P2P practices, as she has been the TIMELAB coordinator in the same city since 2010.

More than a traditional ‘interview’, it was actually a nice walk in this ‘city within the city’, which several decades ago was a large showroom for displaying electric appliances. The municipality then decided to make it a public library, which was moved into a new building and opened in March 2017.

Then the genius came in, even if we do not know exactly who it was. As the old building was going to be dismantled for a new purpose, the idea emerged to use it for public purposes during the 8 months remaining before its refurbishment. In fact, a private competitor was interested in organizing an exhibition, but the municipality decided to seize this opportunity to create a space for an experiment in urban commons. It could not be otherwise in such a splendid and symbolic location, in one of the busiest neighborhood in town.

The municipality of Ghent is at the forefront of the international stage of urban commons, as shown by the recently released report by P2P Foundation founder Michel Bauwens after a three month stay designing a proposal for the transition of the city to the commons.

Access to the 8,000 square meter, 6 story building was not donated by the municipality at no cost. At first, the local authorities asked for 13,000 euros per month, which was simply unaffordable for the cooperative created to manage the 9 month project. The bargaining ended at 7,000 Euros, with May being free of charge, as a great many things had to be brought into the building to provide a minimum setting. The 30 partners that were selected through a call for proposals came both from non-profits as well as several enlightened, small, private companies: an interesting cohabitation indeed!

A ‘flexistructure’ was created at the beginning, comprised of a small group of people who volunteered to be responsible for democratically defining and enforcing the ‘rules of the game’. So, the three conditions for a commons were fulfilled: a resource, a self-organized community, and social practices.

While inviting us to a coffee in the nice coffee shop on the first floor, Evi introduced us to some of the activities generated in the building. A Vietnamese restaurant, where cookbooks can be consulted on the spot and cooking lessons are offered. A huge and comfortable ‘silence room’ designed by people diagnosed with autism, where the visitor can relax surrounded with plants and nice objects, with free entry between 10am and 6pm. Steven, an industrial engineer by education who enjoys woodworking in his spare time, is using his 150 square meter space at NEST to prototype his soon to be launched project providing access to material and tools for metal and woodworking: professionals admitted by day, amateurs at nighttime. ‘Current makerspaces are too small, and are not profitable’, he says. An introduced us to their (she has 2 teammates) wellbeing module, where professional therapists can rent the space, with a splendid view of the city, for as little as 10 euros per hour (!) The range of services covers coaching, mediation, and creative therapies. Access to a spacious and inspired yoga and meditation room is also offered, a good way to build up a base of clients.

On a lower floor, we come across a large production space where designers make their real products (e.g. textiles for furniture) in a co-working atmosphere. Continuing downstairs, we discover a vast space for dancers to train, create and rehearse. Further on, a group of people who want to play music are arranging a module where they will also rent musical instruments and organize musical rehearsals. A locked door keeps us from visiting a cultural/performance space that accommodates one hundred people. There is also a big exhibition space currently displaying original productions from the local art school, KASK. And on the ground floor, an even more spacious room made of donated pieces of old furniture where people can relax, have a drink at an interesting bar, or contact a municipal representatives of employment schemes.

Despite precarious economic conditions, a flow of passion is percolating everywhere. All of the entrepreneurs present say they feel comfortable with the unknown, trusting that this experiment will be useful for their further professional activities. The strong feeling of belonging to a community also plays a great role. When asked about security conditions and supervision at the site, Evi replies that everyone is also caring for his/her neighbour’s space. The rent distribution among the partners (8000 euros collected per month) follows a very interesting pattern: each partner states in the group how much he/she is ready to pay, and the group commonly decides to whom the concerned module will be rented, putting the passion and openness towards new ‘users’ and the engagement towards the NEST global project as the first criterion.

Time is flying. NEST has hardly started, and already there are only a few months left. Evi tells us, though, that the immediate plan is ambitious: to build games for sale inspired by the commons; an itinerary school where the toolbox discovered through experimentation will be shared and can nurture local tools elsewhere depending on the context. Evi speaks about sharing NEST experiment with other cities nearby (Roeselare, Leuven), and not far away (in Belgium or neighbouring Netherlands). To our question, ‘What about sharing this abroad?’, Evi spontaneously answers: ‘Whenever possible, even if the local population is hardly interested in what happens elsewhere’. The point is not bringing knowledge to other places and partners, but rather to bring some experience and expertise from the NEST ground.

The intention is also to further associate the TIMELAB model for artists (and researchers) in residence, currently covering ten people. Interesting prospects exist for working with artists.

Everything is not perfect. While the municipality has expressed a strong commitment to the commons during the recent 3 month stay, one can feel the fear that the authorities, now aware of the real interest of NEST, could hijack some outcomes to their benefit via the classical mechanism of enclosure. The relations with the university have been somehow strained, in particular with researchers, who have difficulty in accepting the practice of open knowledge and sharing. The university has the knowledge and skill to measure the impact, so it could contribute to the auto-evaluation process of the NEST experiment, which requires close monitoring of data and results as a process.

The NEST experiment in Ghent confirms the relevance of digital commons for the urban commons. It illustrates that the key sequence is from practice to theory, not the other way around. It shows how creative spaces can be found between actors with views which are often claimed to be contradictory (non-profit versus private sector, commons versus authorities). NEST shows how carefully identified and managed acupuncture points can yield systemic outcomes and support the emerging collaborative paradigm.

Photo by estefaniabarchietto

The post A visit to a urban commons in Ghent: the NEST experiment appeared first on P2P Foundation.

Project Of The Day: City Repair Project

Nathan Slater — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 23:47:09 +0000

Mark Lakeman

I first learned about place-making from Mark Lakeman at his office in Portland. In addition to running an architecture/design business, (Communitecture) Mark co-founded City Repair Project.

City Repair takes a hands-on approach to placemaking by sponsoring the Village Building Convergence (VBC).

Hands-on placemaking programs like VBC provides three benefits:

A live project brings together organizations. (see #1. North Tabor Mandala project, below)
A live project attracts people. (see #2. Beech Street project, below)
A live project motivates action. (see #3. Right To Dream, Too project, below)

City Repair’s mission page explains their philosophy of placemaking:

City Repair facilitates artistic and ecologically-oriented placemaking through projects that honor the interconnection of human communities and the natural world.

City Repair’s history page cites placemaking program:

Our biggest annual program is the Village Building Convergence. Over the past 15 years we have facilitated 1000s of community members in their placemaking journey.

City Repair’s Intersection Repair page feature many of their live projects.

Here are three examples:

1. North Tabor Mandala

Extracted from http://www.cityrepair.org/north-tabor-mandala

2015 Description:

North Tabor Neighborhood Association in conjunction with South East Uplift was overjoyed to bring an intersection mandala into the heart of the neighborhood. In the spirit of their long term goals to bring life, culture, and vibrancy to the community, they worked with the local Portland Montessori School, whose upper elementary school children produced a design of geometric shapes, angles, and patterns.

2. Beech Street Project

Extracted from https://www.facebook.com/BeechStProject/?fref=nf Beech St. Project

December 2, 2014

Hi Neighbors! In case you missed it our little street made international news. The project and the story are inspiring community builders in Japan!.

January 23, 2016

Japanese group tour PDX Placemaking

Extracted from http://www.cityrepair.org/blog/2016/1/23/japanese-group-tour-pdx-placemaking

On 1/16 and 1/23, workers from a Japanese factory visited The City Repair Project and Propel Studio to learn about our design work to serve communities.

We presented on our work and then toured placemaking sites including the Hawthorne Hostel on SE 31st and Hawthorne and the Dialogue Dome/Cob Oven/Grazing Gardens of Portland State University.

3. Right To Dream, Too

Extracted from http://www.cityrepair.org/calendar/2016/2/4/support-right-2-dream-too-at-city-council

Calendar of EventsSupport Right 2 Dream Too at City Council!

Thursday, February 18, 2016
2:00pm 5:00pm
Portland City Hall1220 SW 5th AvePortland, OR

City Council will be discussing an item titled “SE Harrison Street Vacation and Karl Arruda Zoning Confirmation Letter and Use Agreement for SE 3rd & Harrison” which is to make way for Right 2 Dream Too to inhabit a new space. Please come out to support our villager friends!

Extracted from http://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/56674

The post Project Of The Day: City Repair Project appeared first on P2P Foundation.

Kicking off a year of ‘P2P Plazas’ research and cartography

Carmen Lozano Bright — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:00:33 +0000

2014 ended on a good note. Last October, I had the opportunity to participate, together with 49 other project initiators, in the Idea Camp event in Marseille. The European Cultural Foundation promoted this event, geared towards shaking up our views on public space. After the three-day gathering, all fifty participants were invited to present a Research and Development project to be funded during 2015. The ECF announced a set of 25 R&D grants last December, and ‘P2P Plazas: a Southern European network’ is in.

Today, Europe struggles through a volatile reality. Severe economic blight and the industrial dissolution suffered over several decades have devastated the social and economic outlook of our cities and rural areas. Consequently, many industrial buildings and factories are left empty, inactive; the public sector also has abandoned buildings and lots. Basic services like education, health and culture are cut as the Welfare State is contested. Paradoxically, this atmosphere has empowered citizens to reclaim their own environments and heritage, shaping innovative roles in their production and consumption of culture and public space.

Considering what Henri Lefebvre calls the “rhythmic character of the city”, we should heed the noises and voices of public space as unique expressions of Southern European spirit, through disruptive movements including Spain’s 15M, Greek and Italian street protests in 2011 and the Taksim Square and Gezi Park occupations in Istanbul. Movements which emerged rapidly and seemed ephemeral from outside reveal themselves to be widespread over local contexts. What once was underground has become commonplace, accepted: urban gardens, self-managed social centers, open schools, fablabs, squats, active urban squares, hacklabs, medialabs, makerspaces, connected by scores of networks.

We’re calling this Southern European phenomenon “P2P Plazas”: places where bottom-up initiatives connect actions among peers (citizens). Peers decide for themselves what to do to invent and participate in new forms of cultural production and consumption, far from the established so-called “Cultural Industries”.

Frontiers which were strictly demarcated, today merge and interact. Each local area contains its own unique context for its open spaces; community relationships to that context determine the eventual re-use and re-invigoration of those places. Abandoned factories become new types of work spaces (fablabs, makerspaces, worker cooperatives), open lots may become community commercial spaces (artisan and local food markets). The neighborhood’s cultural associations with the original space guide its rebirth, not only its original use or legal zoning. These places host practices steeped in site-specific knowledge and learning, giving a deeply expanded, personal significance to commons-managed public space.

Although these practices surround us, there is no “big picture” to explain the deep significance of these transformations on our societies.

Each space finds its way through different legal (and illegal) formats, agreements and contracts with private and public owners. If we could effect a clearer view by mapping these experiences throughout Southern Europe, including the management and legal aspects of how they’re (re)signifying their environments, we would provide a catalog of prototypes to be replicated.

Mapping these p2p practices also reveals their Achilles’ heel: sustainability. It is crucial that local governments understand these transformations, provide support and tools for citizens to promote their own initiatives. Future developments out of this research could prototype p2p practices to establish a Southern European network with the common ground of sharing tools, knowledge and legal frames.

Through this year-long investigation, we will listen to those noises and rhythms which sustain our cities, and shape a ‘least common legal frame’ serving institutions and citizens to establish dialogues and understandings. The communities reshaping their local environments are central to this research. We must feel the active beating heart of our cities, and to join hands across borders. This is a way to build Europe together.

This research requires the support of foundations and institutions that believe in investigation for social change. The peer-to-peer experiences we learn from are mostly based in community volunteer work. Archiving and researching are not prioritized as are other, more tangible and immediate tasks. Works which create a big picture do exist, but without time, effort and communication devoted to research, creating the overall map isn’t possible. Isolating the tools adapted in local contexts can provide a bellwether for paradigm changes, and help us identify innovations in social, political and economic opportunities.

This proposal emerges from a local perspective of engagement with the routine at El Campo de Cebada, a commons-oriented plaza in Madrid. It will expand to other territories through the digital sphere. The context of this research will include a central cluster based in Madrid collaborating with several feeder nodes (starting elsewhere in Spain, Greece and Italy, then throughout Southern Europe). The network extension will operate in the digital context through an internal/external communication toolkit.

Coincidentally, Spain is holding local elections in May 2015, especially noteworthy for the emergence of new political actors. The research will include meetings with political parties and citizen candidates to assess their position on these questions, and evaluate their willingness to implement a ‘least common frame’.

This research does not emerge out of the blue. It’s inspired by many – many! – existing initiatives that have helped build a common cartography. For example (and these are all in Spain, for the moment): La Aventura de Aprender (The Learning Adventure), Arquitecturas Colectivas (Collective Architectures network), cartographies by Vivero de Iniciativas Ciudadanas (VIC), among others.

Throughout 2015, we’ll be working hand in hand with other closely related research groups, like Straddle3’s guide for activating public space (Barcelona), Adelita Husni-Bey’s investigation on housing and squatting (The Netherlands and Italy), Radarq’s open source urban furnitures (Barcelona), the intense activity at Pollinaria (Abruzzo, Italy), and also the research by Catherine Lenoble –a little detached because of its field, but sharing a huge common ground and perspective– on digital toy libraries. The research and communication will also be supported by the Guerrilla Translation team.

We’ll also be watching other necessary projects with great impact potential, like Zemos98 (Seville, Spain), Sarantaporo.net (Athens) and 1+1eleven (Puglia, Italy).

For more information, follow us on:

The post Kicking off a year of ‘P2P Plazas’ research and cartography appeared first on P2P Foundation.