A framework for in-memory space management for content management database systems is provided. A per-instance in-memory dispenser is partitioned. An incoming transaction takes a latch on a partition and obtains sufficient block usage to perform and complete the transaction. Generating redo information is decoupled from transaction level processing and, instead, is performed when block requests are loaded into the in-memory dispenser or synced therefrom to a per-instance on-disk structure.