Commons and Public Partnership
Legitimizing a Commons Political Sphere
1st Edition
Published on 30. April 2026
272 pages
978-1-350-44633-5 (ISBN)
Description
Commons and Public Partnership reimagines the commons as a dynamic third political sphere, one that bridges the gap between the household and the state. Torange Khonsari shows how cultural practices can activate communities, creating neighbourhood-based commons systems that challenge conventional governance.
Drawing on local experiences, Khonsari addresses pressing societal issues, from citizen apathy and institutional distrust, to the lack of awareness around creative practices that can transform political engagement. By repositioning the neighbourhood as a decentralized arena for decision-making, this book advocates for a commons/public partnership model in place of the dominant private/public paradigm.
Rich in theory and grounded in practice, Commons and Public Partnership blends insights from urbanism, public art, architecture, psychology, politics, anthropology, and sociology with practical design methodologies-offering a bold, interdisciplinary framework for rethinking civic life.
Drawing on local experiences, Khonsari addresses pressing societal issues, from citizen apathy and institutional distrust, to the lack of awareness around creative practices that can transform political engagement. By repositioning the neighbourhood as a decentralized arena for decision-making, this book advocates for a commons/public partnership model in place of the dominant private/public paradigm.
Rich in theory and grounded in practice, Commons and Public Partnership blends insights from urbanism, public art, architecture, psychology, politics, anthropology, and sociology with practical design methodologies-offering a bold, interdisciplinary framework for rethinking civic life.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
40 b/w images
ISBN-13
978-1-350-44633-5 (9781350446335)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2026
Bloomsbury Academic
€119.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Torange Khonsari is a chartered designer, an expert adviser for the Design Council, chair of the ethics committee at the Design Museum and has taught architecture in universities in the UK and internationally. She co-founded the practice Public Works - UK. She is also co-director of the Centre for Applied Research in Empowering Society at London Metropolitan University, UK.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1: Distributive Commons: Third Political Sphere
Chapter 2: Distributive Commons Organization and Commoning Practise
Chapter 3: Mobilizing the Commons: Crafting Social Engagements
Chapter 4: Cultural Commons: Producing Materiality of Commons
Chapter 5: Learning Commons
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Ingredients for Commons as Third Political Sphere
Chapter 1: Distributive Commons: Third Political Sphere
Chapter 2: Distributive Commons Organization and Commoning Practise
Chapter 3: Mobilizing the Commons: Crafting Social Engagements
Chapter 4: Cultural Commons: Producing Materiality of Commons
Chapter 5: Learning Commons
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Ingredients for Commons as Third Political Sphere
