Abstract

Which relation is between the creation of shared value and the amount of resources? This study began with the question of whether urban commons exist in areas with concentrated poverty and, if so, how they differ from existing commons. Ethnography research methods were used to show the existence and formation of urban commons in areas with concenrated poverty. The information collected through participatory observations and interviews. The data analyzed according to case study analysis techniques and general guidelines for anthropological ethnographic study. The main subject of the study is the Cooperate Restaurant in Donui-dong Jjokbangchon and the fieldwork site is Donui-dong Jjokbang. The results of the study are as follows. First, it was confirmed that the Restaurant is the urban commons consisting of resources, communities, and protocols. Second, it is similar to existing urban commons case in that it was formed around common problems in areas where resources were scarce, but it was different from the commons in the background of the location of agricultural and fishing villages. Third, the existence and participation process of the key commoner was described. Through this, it was shown that the role of ‘people’ in forming commons is important. This study aims to contribute to expanding the academic discussion of urban commons by describing commonalities and differences with existing theories by analyzing urban commons in areas with concentrated poverty. In addition, as a study that attempted to define and interpret the poor by possibility rather than deficiency, we intend to present a new perspective on restoring and seeking share value through the case of areas with concentrated poverty.