Counteracting Commodification through Participatory Governance of Urban Commons in Naples, Southern Italy

In a context of increasing commodification of urban spaces and intensifying tourism, Naples faces significant challenges for sustainable development, highlighting the crucial role of community spaces as centers for democratic involvement and social integration. This study explores the functioning of urban commons in Naples as platforms for civic participation and ecological awareness; some of these communities often reject and counteract touristification (Corbisiero, 2019). The implementation of the "Territorial Ecosystems of the Commons" project under the PRIN PNRR 2022 initiative has transformed Naples into a laboratory for innovative participatory governance models. This initiative has reinterpreted the management of cultural and environmental heritage as common resources vital for the city's ecological and cultural diversity. Our focus is on three case studies: Ex Asilo Filangieri, Ex OPG Occupato - Je so' pazzo, and Scugnizzo Liberato, each with distinct approaches to community management and urban regeneration. These urban commons represent not only spaces of resistance against commercialization and invasive tourism but also arenas for sustainable practices such as urban gardening and the adoption of renewable energies, treated as collectively managed resources to prevent depletion (Hardin, 1968). Using qualitative methods such as participatory observations and interviews, our study highlights how these communities maintain inclusivity and accessibility despite external pressures (Ostrom, 1990) such as tourism. The findings demonstrate the crucial importance of these spaces in promoting urban life quality, social cohesion, and sustainability. The participatory processes examined can offer replicable models for governance that harmonizes community autonomy with the requirements of sustainable urban development. This work contributes to the debate on urban commons, illustrating how grassroots initiatives can effectively counteract the dynamics of commercialization and exclusion.