1. Self-organisation by Community Based Networks
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Self-organisation by Community Based Networks
And how they engage and challenge planning
Beitske Boonstra Msc.

2. Complexity and Participatory planning
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Complexity and Participatory planning
Complexity in society and planning: governance
Participatory planning – governments stay in control
Through inclusionary processes (process, content, place)
Only those that ‘fit’ join such procedures – no multiplicity
(Pløger 2000, Frissen 2007, De Graaf 2007, Van der Arend 2007)
Community based networks
All actors plan in space, spaces as multiplicities
Struggles over ‘reading’ – heterogenous processes of becoming
(Kreukels 1985, Murdoch 2006, Hillier 2007, Boelens 2009)
(Arnstein 1969)

3. Self-organisation translated (1)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Self-organisation translated (1)
Community based networks of civic actors aiming at spatial interventions but operating autonomous from governmental planning procedures …
… framed as self-organisation …
… the emergence of structure out of fairly unstructured beginnings.
(Teisman et al. 2009, Heylighen 2001, Cilliers 1998)
Towards a notion of a variety of simulatenously planning systems, in which no actor can oversee all the dynamics taking place.

4. Self-organisation translated (2)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Self-organisation translated (2)
But what is a SYSTEM?
Self-organisation:
The emergence of structure from
fairly unstructured beginnings
(Heylighen 2001, Cilliers 1998)
No central or external agent
Distributed control
- Open and dynamic boundaries
Actor-network Theory:
Key uncertainties in the study of networks and organisation
(Latour 2005)
Action is overtaken
No groups, only group formation
- Objects too have agency

5. Self-organisation translated (3)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Self-organisation translated (3)
How a system evolves from fairly unstructured beginnings towards organisation, can be studied by following the …
… controversies and associations …
… that make the actor-network / system ‘happen’.
It also shows what associations and controversies arise between these self-organised actor-networks and spatial planning practice.

6. Operational framework (1)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Operational framework (1)
BIDs in the UK
Co-Housing in Denmark
Democratically legitimated business-led organisation aiming to improve its business environment, with targeted and ring-fenced investments additional to public services.
People that collectively commission, develop and maintain their direct living environments, often paired with collective ownership, communal living and democratic organisation.

7. Operational framework (2)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Operational framework (2)
Emergence of
organisation
Self-organised
networks
Dispersed control
No central agent
Dynamic boundaries
Actor-networks
Controversies
Associations
Challenge to
planning

8. Business Improvement Districts (1)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Business Improvement Districts (1)
The emergence of organisation

9. Business Improvement Districts (2)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Business Improvement Districts (2)
Associations and controversies
Leading actors have to have an interest, businesses have final say, boundaries are clearly defined.
Associations between local business interests, recent local developments or events, national legislation and policy goals set by local government.
Controversies concern objects of mutual interest, such as quality of business environments and public space. Discussions on ‘retrenchement’ and ‘privatization’ – or polycentric governance?

10. Co-Housing (1) The emergence of organisation 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Co-Housing (1)
The emergence of organisation
Andelsbolig Law
Right-to-buy Law
End of funding
Housing Law
Social housing
Funding Schemes
Urban regeneration
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Private cooperatives
Increase of Andelsbolig
Workers associations
Bofælleskaber
Eco-communities network

11. Co-Housing (2) Associations and controversies (1)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Co-Housing (2)
Associations and controversies (1)
Leading actors are end-users (internal), there is either organisational history or extensive networking, however the association with external actors is determinative as well, as is cooperative law.
Co-housing is formed by internal and external deliberations about location (geographical), ownership and financing (organisation) and ambitions (content). Search for mutual benefits.

12. Co-Housing (3) Associations and controversies (2)
30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Co-Housing (3)
Associations and controversies (2)
Ownership structure in Danish cities changed urban renewal practice (which is based on co-financing of public and private funds). Spin off through sustainability policies and better process management.
Long standing association between bofaelleskaber and andelsboligforeningen, however this changes due to new regulations.
Communities are exclusive. Initiatives have to line up with the regular planning system. Mutual learning process.

13. 30 April 2011
9th meeting AESOP Thematic group Complexity and Planning, Istanbul.
Discussion
For both participation and self-organisation one has to become ‘professional’ – and line up with the existing planning system.
Both participation and self-organisation are processes of in/ex-clusion, though in self-organisation the end-users are leading and decisive.
Legislation does not unleash self-organised capacity, but enables the emergence of organisation and partnerships to evolve. Does this make participation redundant?
Dispersed control is only temporary until new centralities emerge.