Zajmowalimy

Zajmowalimy is a coined Polish term used in speculative and academic contexts to denote a form of collective action centered on occupying unused urban spaces for community and cultural purposes. The word is a neologism built from zajmować, meaning to occupy or seize, with a collective, first-person plural framing to emphasize coordinated action.

Origins and scope: The term does not correspond to an established organization. Instead, it functions as a conceptual model in urban studies and activist discourse, used to explore how communities might reclaim neglected spaces outside formal policy channels. In discussions, Zajmowalimy is described as combining elements of nonviolent direct action, mutual aid, and participatory governance, with attention to housing, culture, education, and local resilience.

Practices and methods: In theoretical or fictional treatments, Zajmowalimy encompasses activities such as assembling in vacant buildings, establishing temporary community centers, offering workshops, and forming cooperative management structures. Emphasis is placed on community consent, safety, legal awareness, and transparent decision-making processes. The approach highlights the potential for space to serve social needs while challenging conventional real estate and planning priorities.

Reception and critique: In scholarly and policy-oriented debates, critics warn of legal risk, possible displacement effects, and tensions with existing urban plans. Proponents argue that the concept draws attention to housing shortages, the social value of shared spaces, and democratic participation, providing a framework to examine how urban space could be stewarded by residents themselves.

See also: squatting, urban commons, direct action, mutual aid, community land trusts. Notes: Zajmowalimy is typically discussed as a theoretical construct or fictional device rather than a widely practiced real-world movement.