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Maintaining autonomy: Urban degrowth and the commoning of housing

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  • Federico Savini

Abstract

The theory – and practice – of establishing autonomy from the hegemony of growth is central to the imaginary of degrowth. Yet to envisage pathways towards a degrowth society, scholars need to explain how autonomy coalesces into autonomous institutions. This article addresses this institutional challenge of how to secure autonomy in the provision of collective, affordable and decommodified housing in cities. Building on the tradition of autonomist and (post-)workerist thought, it conceptualises this challenge as one of maintenance. It argues that autonomy occurs through its perpetual reproduction, which is made possible by nesting and federating practices among autonomous communities. Nesting and federating practices allow these communities to avoid becoming enclaves and co-optation by market logics. The article illustrates these arguments through reference to the struggles of de Nieuwe Meent, a recent housing commoning project in Amsterdam.

Suggested Citation

  • Federico Savini, 2023. "Maintaining autonomy: Urban degrowth and the commoning of housing," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(7), pages 1231-1248, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:60:y:2023:i:7:p:1231-1248
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980221121517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Kaika & Angelos Varvarousis & Federico Demaria & Hug March, 2023. "Urbanizing degrowth: Five steps towards a Radical Spatial Degrowth Agenda for planning in the face of climate emergency," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(7), pages 1191-1211, May.
    2. Stuart Hodkinson, 2012. "The new urban enclosures," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(5), pages 500-518, October.
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    4. Manuel B. Aalbers & Jannes Van Loon & Rodrigo Fernandez, 2017. "The Financialization of A Social Housing Provider," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(4), pages 572-587, July.
    5. Bossuyt, Daniël & Salet, Willem & Majoor, Stan, 2018. "Commissioning as the cornerstone of self-build. Assessing the constraints and opportunities of self-build housing in the Netherlands," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 524-533.
    6. Justus Uitermark, 2004. "The co‐optation of squatters in Amsterdam and the emergence of a movement meritocracy: a critical reply to Pruijt," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 687-698, September.
    7. Varvarousis, Angelos, 2020. "The rhizomatic expansion of commoning through social movements," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    8. D’Alisa, Giacomo & Kallis, Giorgos, 2020. "Degrowth and the State," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    9. Jaime Lluch, 2012. "Autonomism and Federalism," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 42(1), pages 134-161, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lewis, Alexander C. & Crabbe, Rowena C., 2024. "The entrepreneurship of marginalized groups and compatibility between the market and emancipation," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 39(4).

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