which investigated the design of digital platforms for resource communities. It explored how a situated design approach can be employed to articulate the social values of resource communities. The second phase of the project examined how these values can be translated into (digital) tools and designs for the organisation of an urban commons.
According to the principles developed by Elinor Ostrom for managing a commons it’s important that the rules of the commons are written for the local situation: generic solutions are not acceptable. This means there is a need to develop methods that include resource communities in the design of platforms to manage their resources. A situated design approach emphasises that these design processes take place in specific political, social and economic contexts – and sets out our intention to conduct research from embedded positions. This implies a rooted, interdisciplinary collaboration between maker and user – in which design forms the basis for interaction.
The research toke place at three different field-labs: H-buurt (Bijlmer, Amsterdam), Common Woods (Amersfoort) and De Warren (Ijburg, Amsterdam), and with a community of practice partners.
Key findings
The project has provided valuable insights into creating digital tools and frameworks that effectively support urban commons. Central to these findings is the necessity for digital solutions to align closely with the social values and specific needs of resource communities. The research emphasizes the importance of designing systems that facilitate inclusive and transparent decision-making processes, ensuring that all community voices are heard and decisions are made collaboratively. For a detailed exploration of these insights, please refer to the final report, which provides an in-depth look at the methodologies, results, and practical applications of the research.
In addition to these findings, the project has introduced two new products: the Be-commoning model and the Utility/Collectivity Card Deck.
These resources provide practical tools for translating research insights into effective and inclusive commons systems.
Educational impact
The new products could easily be incorporated into educational programs. The Be-commoning model provides a structured approach to designing and managing commons initiatives, emphasizing community engagement and context-specific solutions. In educational settings, the model could be useful to teach students about the principles of commons management and the importance of designing with and for communities. The Utility/Collectivity Card Deck could serve as a hands-on tool for students and educators. It facilitates interactive learning and discussions about community values and design needs, helping learners to develop practical skills in participatory design and collaborative problem-solving.
Charging the Commons is financed by Regieorgaan SIA – RAAK-mkb.
RAAK SME, April 2021 – July 2024
Center of Expertise
Civic Interaction Design (UASA), Caradt
MKB-Companies (Fieldlabs and transfer sites)
CrowdBuilding, Dark Matter Labs, Metabolic, Space & Matter, Stipo, ThingsCon, Waag, De Warren (Amsterdam) CLT H-buurt (Amsterdam), Common Woods (Amersfoort)
Industry associations
Commons Network, Dutch Blockchain Coalition, Dutch Digital Agencies
Network and dissemination partners
Media Architecture Institute, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Pakhuis de Zwijger
In the context of her latest project Charging the Commons, our researcher from the Situated Art and Design research group Tara Karpinski, held a presentation for the Bartlett School of Architecture last January and February.
Presentation for students from the Bartlett School of Architecture (dept: Systems of Exchange) about our research from Circulate and Charging the Commons.
Educational departments involved: Bartlett School of Architecture (dept: Systems of Exchange)
In collaboration with: Lectorate Civic Interaction Design (UASA)
‘My practice is situated in between different actors, in this shape-shifting middle many things can happen.’
Tara Karpinski is a designer, researcher and educator working in the realm of social practice. She holds a BA in photography and art history from the Savannah College of Art & Design (USA), and an MA from the Sandberg Instituut (NL). Her Master studies were funded by a Netherland-America Foundation grant.
Karpinski, T. (2022) Ener-geyser, Artistic works ISEA2022 ‘Possibilities’, screened at the CCCB and CERC auditoriums.
Gloerich, I., de Waal, M., Ferri, G. Cila, N., Karpinski, T. (2020) The City as a Licence. Implications of Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers for Urban Governance (Frontiers2020).
Nazli, C., Gloerich, I., Ferri, G., de Waal, M. and Karpinski, T., The Blockchain and the Commons: Dilemmas in the Design of Local Platforms. Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems – CHI ’20
Karpinski, T., Cila, N., Gloerich, I., Meys, W., de Waal, M. (2019) “Peak Shaving Time”, We Make The City festival, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Living in cities developed around data and acting within the inscrutable structure of our techno-society demands art and design that can help understand how we relate to these rapidly changing surroundings and to reflect on that relationship. The research group Situated Art and Design responds to this exigency by fostering a situated turn in art and design through a diverse portfolio of interdisciplinary research projects in partnership with academic and cultural partners, as well as with government and industry.
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