DISCUSSION

Addressing our research question with the combined outputs of our methods.

Defining the Association as an urban experiment

It has been discussed whether Fargemarka can be considered a cohousing community, an intentional community or even an activist community, and ultimately it draws on elements of all of these. Fargemarka members brought different skills and experiences and participated with very different intentions and ways of working. Therefore, it was impossible to categorise the project under a single academic domain. On the one side, theories of insurgent planning and activist planning highlight major aspects in the way the group functions, particularly with reference to ‘rebel action’ amongst some members. On the other hand, cohousing, and intentional community values are also strongly represented in the ways the group operates, especially amongst those who desire co-production with the Municipality. Elements of self organisation and self governance are also evident in the group, and help to explain

OCTOBER 2019

Start of squatting action how the coincidence of attitudes between the Association and Municipality leads to emergence of different forms of participation in planning.

Evolution of the Association

Based on our observations and reflections, and considering academic theory, we considered three hypothetical scenarios for the development of the Association, as shown in Figure 21. If the ‘squatting’ action had continued in the form of sustained rebel action (Scenario A), it appears unlikely that the Municipality would have been willing to negotiate a formal settlement. Forced evictions might have occurred and it would have been difficult to gain wider support in Trondheim. On the other hand, if the Association had rapidly ended the squatting action and adopted a collaborative approach (Scenario C), and if the Municipality had adopted a deliberative one, it is possible that a short-term lease could have been agreed. This could have allowed the Association to build recognition and support in Trondheim, supporting the development of a longer-term settlement. In reality, the path can be described as something between these two extreme scenarios (Scenario B). The eventual outcome will partially depend on the coincidence of attitudes between the Association and the Municipality.

Intentions within the Association

Figure 22 illustrates how different people within the Association had different desires, ways of working and measures of success, as recorded through interviews and observed in meetings. The ‘Exchange Students’ were interested in short-term involvement, and for many of them success would mean contributing to direct actions such as art projects, or events. ‘Activists’, on the other hand, were more invested in long-term involvement, and success would, in addition to

January 2020

Rebel action continues, more houses occupied, no communication with Municipality.

House occupation ends. Ideating about alternative approaches starts.

Negative Scenario

Given Scenario

Positive Scenario

House occupation ends. An Association gets founded which adopts a collaborative approach to raise awareness around the empty houses.

NOVEMBER 2019 long-term occupation of the buildings, be influencing planning systems in Trondheim. ‘Families’ and ‘Local Adults’ were more interested in a structured, collaborative and long-term way of working, whilst the so-called ‘Regulars’ were primarily interested in finding somewhere to live. As the Research Group, ‘Muslica’, we were most interested in analysing links between the group, wider systems of planning and other more general truths.

First letter of eviction from Municipality, The area must be evacuated within A common vision gets formulated, negotiations for using the empty houses.

Fargemarka is well known and has Negotiations with the Municipality approach.

Challenges and opportunities

Through analysis within three academic domains, investigation of case studies and immersive autoethnographic research, the Muslica Research Group has gained insights into broad social phenomena. These have been synthesised into opportunities and challenges that could be applied beyond Fargemarka to other urban experiments.

Rebel action and collaboration

Authorities frequently fail to cooperate with nascent urban experiments that go against traditional systems of planning, risking ‘negative effects’ that go unchecked. The laissez faire attitude of the Municipality towards the disused buildings of Østmarka risks creating community blight. This creates a challenge for the Association, which wishes to gain legitimacy whilst actively provoking change. However, through a careful synthesis of rebel action and collaboration, there is an opportunity to move the Municipality to action as shown, for example, in Tromsø, where the Municipality was provoked by citizen dissatisfaction into adopted a deliberative approach

Vision and guideline setting

A challenge for the Association is the diverse range of individual intentions and attitudes within it. Defining a stronger vision at an early stage in the process could have helped resolve disagreement or communication issues later on. This could help ensure all members are aligned towards a common goal, and could help them work more effectively together. Furthermore, by defining clear goals and examining different future scenarios the Association can be better prepared for different potential outcomes.

Organisational structure and decision-making

A flat, consensus based structure presents a challenge to timely, effective democratic decision making and a fair distribution of power. There is an opportunity to use smaller working groups that give people opportunities to raise their voices and contribute equally. It will also help getting things done, so that not only the most active members are responsible for the different tasks. It empowers people allowing them to take responsibility. It can also be important that there are clear decision making processes established, so that the Association is ready when disagreements arise.

Contributing to wider society

The challenges faced by urban experiments are often similar, but through sharing successes and failures there is an opportunity for them to become more effective. Urban experiments can contribute and inspire other civic initiatives, and wider society through the pooling of experience and knowledge.

Municipality, who adopt a directive approach. within three weeks.

The squatters are removed from buildings by force. Members leave the Association due to dissapointment around the approach.

There is still no response from the Municipality but the group prepares limited actions to stimulate them into adopting a directive or directivedeliberative approach.

A B formulated, and sent to the Municipality to begin houses. has broad support all over the city. Municipality have begun, who adopt a deliberative

A short-term lease is successfully negotiated, and the keys are handed over. Membership increases dramatically as interested in the Association grows.

March 2020

C