Thwarted visions of change: power and demographics in repair cafes and urban sustainability transitions

Abstract

Highlights • Repair Cafes envision a transition where as many people as possible participate in repair activities. • The roles and hierarchy within the Repair Cafes lead to power differentials. • The roles within Repair Cafes lead to women and lower classes being discouraged from participation. • Repair Cafes are inconsistent between their visions of change and their practices. • Current Repair Café practices hurt their ability to contribute to a transition.

Keywords

• Repair Café
• Sustainability
• Transitions
• Discrimination
• Sexism
• Socio-technical transitions