Inhabiting the city from the self-managed community. Urban practices for communal democracy in Errekaleor

Abstract

In these times of crisis of the liberal model of democracy, community dynamics are becoming visible as stimulating alternatives for thinking about new models of democracy. This article deals with the experience of the occupied neighbourhood of Errekaleor in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) from the perspective offered by the emerging paradigm of communal democracy. Some of the fundamental variables that make up this democratic proposal are analysed, specifically the following: community networks, the production of the common, popular power, the diversity of the subject, mutual support, self-government, self-management and territorialisation. In methodological terms, the techniques used to carry out the research were interviews, discussion groups, ethnographic observation and documentary analysis. The results show that the Errekaleor experience stands out for its strengths in terms of self-government and mutual support and that, at the same time, it faces the challenge of improving its economic self-sufficiency.