Categorizing Urban Commons: Collective Action in Urban Gardens

Abstract

"In this paper, we will present different criteria to explore the differences between gardens used as new commons or as other forms of collective engagement. Furthermore, we precisely define subtypes of urban commons. We will discuss diverse criteria to define the different garden projects in their function as commons. The criteria include typical characteristics of commons like the degree of collective action or particular elements which are shared. Each criterion is operationalized in turn by various variables capturing the characteristics in a detailed way."