About

This blog is a window into my doctoral research on "Circular Commons". Here, I share some insights from my exploration of how people self-organize to take care of shared urban resources, keep them in the loop, and minimize waste. And all that, in a way that is sustainable and fair to all.

 

My research starts from the notion that circularity in spatial production is not a novel concept - but an intuitive approach found in community efforts across history and in contemporary urban settings. 

 

Through action research, I collect lessons from case studies of present-day urban communities that contribute to a Circular Built Environment - reaching from grassroots movements and informal networks to self-organized resource hubs to waste picker collectives.

 

I summarize lessons on opportunities and challenges in a Pattern Language — a tool to share knowledge and to facilitate communication in collaborative urban processes. Cases are inspiring and there are many - therefore I share here a pattern a day.

 

For me, the many examples of circular commons in spatial production bring inspiration and hope - that transitioning to a Circular Built Environment is not a distant utopian dream - but a tangible reality within reach we can all be part of.

 

As a researcher, I gather learnings, communicate them - and hope to inspire others!