The Role of Civil Society Organizations in The Formation of Urban Commons

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2021-8
Akdere, Utku
This thesis aims to examine the function of civil society organizations in the formation of urban commons. In the last half century under the domination of neoliberal ideology, cities have witnessed significant changes. While the modern city has transformed into areas where a series of struggles are given, urban areas are increasingly determined by the logic of the market mechanism. Under this determinism, the concept of commons, which are created through non-market social relations and the production forms other than economic impetus, offers a significant set of political alternatives. In contrast to profit-oriented marketization and privatization structure, when the commons reconsidered in urban context, it would be realized that this has the potential to create new social relations. If these relationships are institutionalized through the practices of organization of civil society, it will be an important tool that creates, transforms and manages urban commons. In this respect, practices that prioritize civil society and relieve the civil sphere and public sphere from the domination of both the state and the market offer very important commoning practices for the urban commons. Both concepts, civil society and the urban commons, must be taken into account the fact that they are highly complex and generate a rich academic debate. The relationship to be established between these two concepts has the potential to offer a wide repertoire for understanding the endless power struggles in cities under global neoliberalism due to the antagonism of both.

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Citation Formats
U. Akdere, “The Role of Civil Society Organizations in The Formation of Urban Commons,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2021.