[05 -09 November 2012] As part of the post-master program “In search of Common Ground” we have set up at the Royal Art Institute (KKH, Stockholm) a group of architects, planners, journalists and economists have embarked on an ‘expedition’ to two groups spearheading the discussion around urban commons in the UK. First, we have teamed up with the Agency research group at the Sheffield School of Architecture, where during the last years an intense focus has been given to the role of architecture as a transformative practice in regards to commoning the making and management of urban space. Apart from SSoA, we have also taken part in a set of presentations and discussions set up at CADS, which has been a good occasion to revive Edward Carpenter’s Commonwealth Café (once frequented by Sheffield’s Socialist Society) after having been off the scene for over a century.

Next destination has been Totnes, located in the south-west of England and home to the Transition Towns network. And equally inspiring visit, where not only the local transition initiatives have been focus of discussion, but also economic ‘localisation’ strategies like REconomy (in collaboration with Schumacher College) have triggered much of interest. Much recommended!