Potentials and Limits of Urban Commons in the City of Lüneburg

Abstract

"Research on the commons is gaining scientific momentum. The term remains however controversial. One strand of literature refers to commons as a regulation problem focusing on institutions for resource management. According to this strand, self-regulation is regarded as an effective alternative to market and state regulation. A second strand views commons as a political programme with emphasis on power, participation, responsibility and justice. In this paper, it is argued that thinking these two strands more strongly together opens possibilities for law and governance innovations at different levels and scales. This study therefore focuses on the transformative character of commons at the city level. Empirical evidences are obtained from Lüneburg – a Hansetic City with seven thousand inhabitants located in the North of Germany. A range of collaborative practices of self-governance can be observed in Lüneburg, such as for example urban gardening projects, co-housing initiatives or energy cooperatives. These initiatives can be regarded as change agents and initiators for institutional innovations. They are however embedded in a complex legal and political context. Little is know about how to think these practices more holistically together. Data about the potential of these initiatives for a commons-based city is missing. This study aims to close this research gap by analysing the potential of self-governance schemes in the city of Lüneburg and possible new ways of law and governance practices at the city level."