A Commons (and Commoning) Lens to Urban Planning and Policy for the Indian City

This participatory workshop will explore how a ‘commons’ lens can inform urban planning, policy, and governance in Indian cities. It will introduce key ideas around the Right to the City, common thinking, and commoning, and examine how urban spaces, resources, and services can be collectively shaped and governed by citizens and institutions. The session will explore the spectrum of urban commons and the role of citizen participation in decision-making, while reflecting on opportunities and challenges for integrating these approaches into urban planning and policy. Through interactive discussions and examples, the workshop will encourage critical reflection, provoke new ways of thinking, and enable participants to consider how commons-based approaches can contribute to more inclusive, responsive, and locally grounded urban development.