The knowledge commons

‘The commons' is a concept originating from the traditional shared use of land, but which now often refers to any social asset, physical or abstract, that is shared. This book is concerned with one aspect of the commons, namely the knowledge commons. The research in this book explores community roles in developing and sustaining cultural institutions as key components of the knowledge commons. Focusing particularly on the principles of participatory design, it explores the capacity of digital technologies to support community engagement. The discussion draws on a case-based program of research that took place across the cultural contexts of the State of Victoria (Australia) and Singapore between 2005-2008.