Real Estate Is Dead. Long Live the Commons.

Let’s talk about real estate.

Not in the way you’re used to — grabbing land, throwing up a condo, and flipping it for a quick profit — but in a way that actually matters for the future. When we think of “real estate,” the first image that likely comes to mind is a gleaming skyscraper or maybe a vast plot of land, broken down into parcels and sold to the highest bidder. But what if I told you that real estate, as we know it, is a relic of the past?

Because here’s the truth: the model we’ve relied on for centuries is broken. Real estate, as a concept, is out of touch with the 21st century’s most pressing needs.

It’s based on extraction, exclusion, and the short-term maximization of profit, often at the expense of long-term ecological and social health.

It’s time for real estate to die.

Yes, I said it: real estate, as you know it, is dead. And if we want any shot at a sustainable future, we need to replace it with something more radical — something that transcends capitalism’s narrow vision of land as a commodity.

Enter the commons, a concept that’s as old as humanity itself but has been mostly forgotten in our race to privatize everything.

What’s a commons?

It’s not just a nice idea or a utopian dream. It’s a proven system of governance — used by indigenous cultures, rural communities, and even modern experiments in collective ownership — that treats land and resources as shared assets to be cared for, not exploited.

Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom showed us that this approach works, and now it’s time to take that lesson and scale it. The challenges we face — climate change, mass extinction, water shortages — aren’t going to be solved by flipping properties; they’re going to be solved by flipping mindsets.

I learned this firsthand during a train trip from Stockholm to Tällberg, where I had the privilege of sitting across from none other than Elinor herself.

Her groundbreaking work on governance systems had just earned her a Nobel Prize in Economics, and as we traveled, we shared stories and ideas about the intricate web of relationships that sustain both ecosystems and communities.

For me, this wasn’t just a theoretical discussion — it was a transformative moment. In that conversation, I realized the power of human cooperation and shared responsibility to regenerate our relationship with land and resources, offering a path forward in addressing the crises we face.

Here’s the challenge: how do we take the commons — something that has worked beautifully in small, local contexts for centuries — and make it work at the planetary scale?

If we can’t figure that out, we’re toast. Luckily, we’re not starting from scratch. We have the tools. We have artificial intelligence, blockchain, and machine learning. These technologies can be more than just tools of surveillance or speculation — they can be the backbone of a new, decentralized model for managing our shared resources.

So, here’s my challenge to you: imagine a world where land is managed not by shareholders but by care holders. Imagine local communities — not corporate boards — making decisions about how to nurture their ecosystems. And imagine these local ecosystems — bioregions, if you will — connected by a global network of transparency and accountability, powered by blockchain and optimized by AI. This isn’t science fiction; it’s possible. But it’s going to take a massive shift in how we think about land and ownership.

Are we ready for that shift? I’m not sure. Because let’s face it: most people in power don’t want to give up the old system. Why? Because the old system works really well — for them. It’s easy to make money when you’re squeezing every last drop out of a piece of land and selling it to the highest bidder. But here’s the thing: that model doesn’t scale anymore, and it certainly doesn’t regenerate.

In the commons, regeneration isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the whole point. We’re talking about creating systems that restore ecosystems, that bring biodiversity back, that offer well-being for humans and non-humans alike. This is not about mitigating damage; it’s about actively repairing the harm we’ve already done. And yes, this means rethinking how we build, where we build, and why we build.

I know what you’re thinking: “Ernesto, this sounds like idealistic nonsense.” But let me remind you: idealism is often the only thing that has ever changed the world. The alternative is realism — the realism of rising sea levels, disappearing forests, and communities that can’t grow food because their land has been ruined by over-exploitation.

So, let’s cut to the chase. The future isn’t going to be built by developers. It’s going to be built by those who understand the principles of life itself — the principles of regeneration. If you’re not thinking about how to restore and steward the land, you’re not thinking about the future. And if you’re still hanging onto the old ideas of real estate, you’re not just part of the problem — you are the problem.

Here’s my final challenge: start thinking about land as a commons, as something we all depend on, and something we all have a responsibility to care for. Because if we don’t, the market will take care of itself — by destroying everything in its path.

Before You Leave!

If you relate to this story, I would greatly appreciate you clicking the 👏button. You can hold it down up to 50 claps and this will help this story get more exposure and this narrative more support. If you feel the calling please reach out privately or leave a comment below

Thanks for your support!