En Pie de Marcha - Commoning in Times of Crisis

Abstract: The continuous and on-going enclosure of the commons has been identified as critical for the expansion of capitalism, through processes of dispossession, expropriation and commodification. In the light of the rapid erosion of our cultural and environmental common pool resources, the concept of the commons is increasingly gaining interest, since it presents new political and cultural perspectives as an alternative to market and state solutions. Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are discussed by urban commons scholars as one type of housing commons: they facilitate collective access to urban land and work as an instrument to prevent gentrification and displacement,for underprivileged groups. Although scholars emphasize the institutional and co-productive dimensions of CLTs, little attention is paid to processes of collective action, ie. ‘commoning’ at work, and the relationship of the actors with local institutions. This thesis examines one of few CLTs in the Global South through the lens of commons theory, with an emphasis on the relationship of the involved communities with the government. Through employing the extended case methodology, the Caño Martín Peña CLT in San Juan, Puerto Rico was investigated using qualitative methods, and later analysed within its context. The inquiry specifically emphasized the role of collective action before and after hurricane María. Findings show empirical evidence for multiple layers of commoning within the CLT, and an intensified role of collective action specifically after the hurricane. At the same time, the investigation disclosed the communities’ pro-active approach when it comes to communicating with the local government, to bring forward their demands. The combination of these practices reveals not only the feasibility and benefits of commoning on the ground, but also its transformative potential when it comes to challenging structures of domination.