Appropriation types and use of the urban public space. The commons in the urban park

Abstract

Public spaces in cities are important for inhabitants’ wellbeing and quality of life; these are perceived as social goods for the people who share and use them. This text argues that public spaces are collective goods and social constructions in constant reconfiguration. It analytically shows the forms of appropriation over time and governance agreements into the theoretical framework of commons theory with a qualitative focus applied to The Simon Bolivar Park of Toluca City, Mexico. The analysis contributes to the understanding of the complexity of public spaces, goods, and social relations shared between the actors involved.