Evolution and potentials of the landscape commons

Mateja Šmid Hribar, Mimi Urbanc and Matija Zorn, researchers of the Anton Melik Geographical Institute, along with two Japanese colleagues, just published  a scientific paper on the evolution and potentials of landscape commons in Slovenia and Japan in the Ecosystem Services. The main insights from this study are: 1) there is a great diversity of commons related to landscapes, 2) some traditional evolved into so-called ’transforming commons’, whose main characteristics are the greater involvement of non-owners and the linking of rural–urban areas, 3) new types of commons developed with different resources, mainly in urban areas, and 4) in addition to material benefits these commons also provide non-material aspects and social benefits. The analysis also shows that commons face governance and social challenges due to ageing of participants, challenging legal procedures, and difficulties in participating in collective actions.

Full article:

https://giam.zrc-sazu.si/sites/default/files/SmidHribar_et_al_2023.pdf