Alpine Commons

Imagine the future of a region where collective and community-driven actions lay the groundwork for a resilient, eco-socially just society. This vision invites residents, newcomers, and visitors to redefine their relationship to place, fostering the co-creation of commons that support sustainable livelihoods and a spirit of cooperation. The urban design studio ‘Alpine Commons’ embraced this vision as its central theme, focusing on diverse ways of (re)imagining and (re)practicing local commons in the alpine region of Vallagarina in the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy. By prioritising traditional shared resources, cooperative initiatives, and communal spaces, the studio aimed to promote mutual well-being and community-driven development attuned to both local and wider needs. Through design proposals that champion ecological and social equity at an urban-regional scale, the studio advanced alternative development models that transcend conventional market-based approaches. In doing so, the studio sought to inspire new forms of place-based engagement, shared values, and collective stewardship, while promoting a renewed understanding and practice of commons as a foundation for a sustainable and inclusive future.