10/15 Colloquium: Alumni Amanda Huron presents “The Contradictions of the Urban Commons”

CUNY GC Alumni and Professor Amanda Huron of the University of the District of Columbia presents….

The Contradictions of the Urban Commons

urban

Biography

I am interested in the theory and practice of the urban commons. The commons are spaces that are both non-commodifed and collectively owned and regulated. Since commons rely on collective labor, a commons is best understood as a social practice, rather than an inert resource. Most of what is known about the commons comes from studies of rural areas — places with relatively sparse populations and cultural homogeneity. But what happens when we try to common in cities? For some thoughts on this, read my 2015 paper in Antipode, “Working with Strangers in Saturated Space: Reclaiming and Maintaining the Urban Commons.” Pictured at above is another instance of the urban commons: the BAT cultural center in Durban, South Africa.

The Science Center, Room 4102 at the Graduate Center @ 5:30 PM Followed by a reception in the EES Lounge