Owning by doing : In Search of the Urban Commons

Abstract: In cities we generally distinguish between public and private space. This thesis tackles the distinction between public and private property and searches for the urban commons where property is determined by collective action and thus creates a greater spatial justice. A case study analyzes the Urban Garden Project “Trädgård på spåret” in Stockholm and shows how unconventional arrangements can generate a lively place in the urban fabric. The final discussion interprets the concept of urban commons and contemplates its classification within the planning discipline.