Vrijjis

Vrijjis is a concept used in urban theory and speculative governance to describe a framework for community-led planning and open, participatory governance. It is not a single city or legal entity, but a set of principles and experiments aimed at reimagining local decision-making, resource sharing, and civic engagement.

Etymology and scope: The name Vrijjis draws on linguistic elements associated with freedom and justice, and has been used primarily in European planning discourse and scholarly articles. It has been applied to pilot projects in several cities as a model for cooperative housing, common spaces, and digital platforms that support citizen involvement in urban development.

Principles: Vrijjis emphasizes participatory democracy at the neighborhood scale, transparent decision-making, and the creation of common resources managed by collectives. It favors modular neighborhoods, shared infrastructure, time banking, and digital tools designed to broaden and simplify citizen engagement. The model seeks alignment of local governance with environmental sustainability and social equity.

Governance and structure: Projects inspired by Vrijjis are typically implemented through localized councils, neighborhood assemblies, and commons-based institutions. Practices prioritize open data, accessible citizen assemblies, and cross-sector partnerships among residents, cooperatives, and public agencies.

History and status: The concept emerged in academic, activist, and design networks in the early 2020s, with pilots and case studies reported in various cities by the mid- to late 2020s. It remains an experimental framework rather than a centralized movement with formal authority.

Reception: Commentary ranges from praise for inclusivity and resilience to critique over scalability, legal recognition, and funding. Advocates emphasize potential for deeper civic engagement, while critics call for clear pathways to implementation and governance legitimacy.