Nested Institutions for Nested Problems: Commoning for Rural Revitalisation in the Peri-Urban Setting

Abstract

Rural areas comprise complex social and ecological systems that are nested in sub-systems at higher spatial and governance levels. At times, influence from higher level (sub) systems may threaten the integrity of local communities. Commoning designed and implemented across levels can address such challenges. A rural village is utilised to extend understandings of how commoning can be structured to tackle these challenges in the revitalisation process. This paper analyses how agricultural commoning at the village level can become nested with the wider system to restore the sub-systems integrity. This aids the identification of favourable designs of commoning and provides alternative ways to address challenges rural areas face.

Keywords

• interconnected systems
• commoning
• rural revitalisation
• peri-urban
• polycentric governance
• nesting