North Sea Rising: A Case for Water-Based Commons

In North Sea Rising, editors Nabi Agzamov and Francesca Vanelli argue for a new perspective on regional commons across the North Sea watershed. Through a series of essays, experts and practitioners examine the historical evolution of this dynamic region and its legacy, climate change challenges, and the potential approaches needed to imagine a vision of a resilient and equitable future for the North Sea. Tom Holbrook’s “A New Hansa?” explores the region’s historical and present-day significance of trade and urban networks, “Mapping the Human-Ocean Nexus” by Di Fang critiques traditional cartography and advocates for biodiversity-focused “ocean thinking”, and Nashin Mahtani’s “To Dream Like a River” highlights the importance of community-led governance. The book concludes with “North Sea Manifesting”, where Agzamov and Vanelli propose a fluid, inclusive governance model that balances ecological and social dimensions. The book challenges conventional notions of territory and governance, advocating for a vision of a North Sea rooted in cooperation, resilience, and environmental equilibrium.