Sharing neighbourhoods: Analysing forms and neighbourhood conditions of non-commercial sharing in European cities

A basic idea of the Sharing City concept is that non-commercial forms of sharing have particular potential for sustainable and socially inclusive urban development. While there is much research on commercial sharing in the context of the Sharing Economy , non-commercial sharing and its local setting remain largely unexplored. In this article, we draw on research in neighbourhoods of seven European cities to examine characteristics of non-commercial sharing and the role of the neighbourhood. Based on a quantitative survey with 1.032 residents and 71 expert interviews, we point out that non-commercial sharing clearly differs from commercial practices in terms of content, motives, organisation, and actors. The neighbourhood emerges as a key entity of non-commercial sharing. We point out differences of actors, their perspectives on and organisation of sharing between the poorer and peripherally located neighbourhoods and the more socially mixed inner-city quarters of our sample. • Non-commercial sharing is largely decoupled from commercialized forms and has a focus on intangible goods. • Personal contacts are crucial for the organisation as well as motive. • The neighbourhood constitutes a core site of non-commercial sharing. • It differs due to the weight of specific actors, their motives and alliances among neighbourhoods. • Actors see sharing as a tool to counter neighbourhood-related challenges but not as goal in itself.