The project constitutes an inclusive tactic of commoning and is based on the idea of re-apropriating the unused space on the roofs of (public or private) buildings, for homeless or refugees. The concept combines the creation of safe shelter for the most vulnerable social groups in metropolises, with urban agriculture and the possibility for the creation of a wider solidarity network. ‘Commoning the roofs!’ is structured in 3 phases:
_The Shelter: The first phase of the concept forsees the implementation of a parasite DIY structure, the ‘Commoning Unit’ on the roof of building able to host a homeless person.
_Commoners Groups: In this second phase, the individual commoners create a team in their neighborhood, in order to maximize their cooperation and mutual assistance.
_Commoning Network: Final step would be the interconnection of all Commoning Groups, with the creation of a cyber platform, where all participants could meet virtually, exchange knowledge, ideas, views and opinions.
The increasing number of homeless in contemporary European cities and the latest refugee crisis created a high demand in emergency shelters. Aim of this project is to open the discussion about urban actions addressing these housing problems by re-appropriating,transforming and re-introducing unused urban space as space of solidarity to the people in need.
From the smallest scale of the shelter unit, to the scale of the metropolis, the 'Commoning the roofs' project would create an interconnected and mutually supported network of participants.
