Harold;
How is the Commons distinguished from the Civic Centre on one hand, and the University on the other?

"... neutral ground where all are welcome. Our Commons is based on paid, individual memberships and focused on three areas - culture, environment and entrepreneurship..."

Sounds like a university to me, or at least, what a university started out to be. Or a town hall?

Elsewhere on your site you note the importance of evaluating expertise based a on portfolio. Is not a university transcript in essence, a formalized portfolio of accomplishment?

I accept that urban design influences social function, but is the limiting factor a new building space? Or rather moving institutions back to their core functions?