Governing the urban commons: Lessons from Ostrom's work and commoning practice in cities

The article focuses on identifying the principles guiding urban communities in the creation and use of the urban commons in various locations worldwide. The paper attempts to assess the extent to which Elinor Ostrom's proposed principles for self-organizing institutions in governing the commons can be adapted to urban contexts. Survey research and interviews conducted with representatives of urban communities demonstrate that, given the nature of urban common goods, Ostrom's principles necessitate modifications, while others may have limited applicability. The article discusses four new principles that enhance the sustainability of urban communities and can be considered as recommendations for governing the urban commons.