
The Commons Lab aims to structure a discourse and a series of actions and activities related to this concept. "Procomún" (Commons) is a new term that seeks to express a very old idea: that some assets belong to everyone and together they form a community of resources that should be actively protected and managed. That community consists of the things we inherit or create jointly and hope to leave to future generations. The Commons includes natural resources such as air, water, oceans, wildlife and deserts, as well as the Internet, radio-electric space, numbers, and medication. It also includes many social creations: libraries, parks, public spaces, scientific research, creative works, and the public knowledge we have accumulated over centuries.
The Commons Lab brings together people from various fields including philosophy, ecology, hacktivism, law, urban planning, art, journalism and economic policy. The first stage was carried out between June 2007 and February 2008, with conclusions written up by Antonio Lafuente in Laboratorio sin muros (Laboratory Without Walls). Afterward, several work groups were formed that meet periodically and work online to debate and plan actions that help to raise awareness about the value of various aspects of “the commons” and the dangers that threaten them.
Works groups 2011-2012 | Work groups 2011 | Work groups 2009-2010 | Work groups 2008-2009 |
If you wish to receive information about the groups and activities of the Lab, please register for the mailing list here.
For more information, contact laboratorio-procomun [at] medialab-prado.es
Commons Lab in Rosario (Argentina)
Primera sesión general del año de los grupos de trabajo del Laboratorio del procomún 2011-2012. Esta sesión está estructurada en torno al tema de ciudad y procomún, que da nombre al nuevo grupo de trabajo coordinado por Juan Freire. [streaming en directo]
A session to gather materials of the A Bicycle Lane in Madrid is Possible workshop coordinated by Geomun2.0 Association. The goal of the project is to utilize free mapping applications to collaboratively design and propose an alternative means of urban mobility in Madrid. It consists of four sessions on 10, 13, 18 and February 20, 2012.
Theorethical and working session about Internet of Things - IoT-, and how can we put it into practice in our daily live, within workshops and presentations. Open registration.