Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The article focuses on the role of leaders in the process of urban commoning. Applying interviews with leaders of urban communities situated in Katowice, Poland, we scrutinize their role in shaping internal and external relationships across distinct stages of urban commons development. Thus, in the paper we develop the concept of leadership in urban commoning, drawing from place-based leadership but also building on original elements such as a priority for the leader in creating bridging social capital. Leaders play a crucial role at all stages of the lifecycle of urban commons. During the initiation phase, they have the ability to recognize the potential of a location and mobilize resources. Subsequently, they are adept at maintaining group engagement and, importantly, managing relationships with the surrounding environment. A key aspect distinguishing effective leaders is their understanding of the need to balance responsibilities with rewards, as well as their capacity to identify each community member’s strengths and motivate them toward building community entrepreneurship.
DOI: 10.5334/ijc.1405
Authors: Adam Polko, Artur Ochojski, Małgorzata Czornik
Institution: University of Economics in Katowice
Language: English
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $938
OpenAlex ID: W4406177760