Work

Co-design, neighbourhood sharing, and commoning through urban living labs

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the role of co-design methods in catalysing neighbourhood sharing and commoning in European cities. Through the comparative analysis of two design-mediated Urban Living Labs (ULLs) in Bagneux/Paris and Poplar/London, the paper explores how neighbourhood sharing of goods, spaces, and experiences are sustained in two different contexts. The paper then presents a co-design framework which was implemented in both cities, catalysing new sharing projects and relations in support of urban commons. We conclude that nesting co-design practices within ‘civic-organic’ ULLs can help to foster productive long-term relations between communities and academic partners based on mutual trust and help to initiate new sharing practices in the neighbourhoods of study. We argue that co-design methods are generative in this space, flattening knowledge hierarchies, supporting action on the ground, and developing situated responses to local needs.

Source: CoDesign

DOI: 10.1080/15710882.2024.2381792

Authors: Andrew Belfield, Doina Petrescu

Institution: University of Sheffield

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Joint Programming Initiative Urban Europe, Economic and Social Research Council