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Commons, Third-Spaces, and Transitional Urbanism in France

This article explores the concept of commons, third spaces, and transitional urbanism in France. While French law lacks a formal definition of commons, recent initiatives highlight efforts by public and civil actors to integrate commons-based principles into urban policy. Third spaces, supported by national programs, foster community collaboration and local resilience, while transitional urbanism repurposes vacant urban areas for temporary community use, encouraging inclusive and adaptive urban development. Together, these approaches promote alternative, socially driven urban governance and resource sharing.
- Undefined in Law: French law lacks a clear definition of "commons." Article 714 of the Civil Code allows for certain things to be "common to all" but without a structured framework. The term appears sporadically across various laws (e.g., historic monuments, biodiversity), leaving commons largely unrecognized in concrete legal terms.
- Recent Legislative Interest: In 2021, a bill aimed to formally define commons, inspired by Elinor Ostrom’s model, though it did not advance. Recent studies highlight the potential for public agents to support commons management but reveal limited legal backing for implementation.
- Public Policy Exploration: Organizations and local governments are exploring commons-based approaches to public policy, aiming to increase citizen involvement in public initiatives, such as in Grenoble’s partnerships with civil society and ADEME’s support for ecological commons.
- Third Places as Drivers: Supported by the "New Places, New Links" program, third places (e.g., Yes We Camp, Plateau Urbain) act as community spaces and contribute to a commons-focused framework by supporting local needs and shared digital resources, fostering a nationwide third-space network.
- Temporary Use of Urban Spaces: In urban areas, vacant buildings are temporarily repurposed for social and cultural projects, supporting inclusive city access and mixed-use spaces. This approach aims to engage diverse urban stakeholders and prevent speculative real estate control over unused spaces.
- Key Actors: Transitional urbanism involves trusted third-party operators, architectural firms, and citizen collectives, all working to creatively repurpose urban spaces and develop new models for temporary and permanent use.
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