ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines how to respond to the privatisation of the urban commons as witnessed through the emergence of these massive shopping malls; a privatisation that reflects acts of piracy as once open spaces are enclosed, transformed into places of potential exclusion. It draws on David Harvey's influential concept of the 'right to the city', and Elinor Ostrom's principles for managing complex resources, to reflect on the emergence of shopping malls and the counterbalancing philosophy of the 'urban commons'. The focus of the chapter is on a particular type of inherently public property, the contemporary urban commons, which are represented by spaces of public interaction. While malls give the impression of being public space, they are a form of privatised space. Malcolm Voyce described how property arrangements establish power interests that shape society. The urban commons offer a potential for alternative governance and management mechanisms, as outlined by Elinor Ostrom.
