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The Ethical City: A Rationale for an Urgent New Urban Agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Brendan F. D. Barrett

    (UN Global Compact—Cities Programme, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Ralph Horne

    (UN Global Compact—Cities Programme, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • John Fien

    (UN Global Compact—Cities Programme, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

Abstract

The ethical city, in contrast to many other adjectives used to describe our cities, implies an approach to urban development that is about doing the right thing for and by urban citizens. Acknowledging the rich traditions of urban development studies and human ethics, this article draws on examples of existing practices in cities that reflect a principled and ethical approach to leadership, governance, planning, economic development, sustainability and citizen engagement. An increased focus on ethics and justice is central in shaping how we respond effectively to global pressing issues such as climate change while at the same time tackling diverse social and economic problems in our cities including inequality, marginalization and lack of access to opportunities for the most vulnerable. While an ethical city points towards sustainability, resilience, inclusion and shared prosperity, the opposite direction could lead to corruption, poverty and social disaffection.

Suggested Citation

  • Brendan F. D. Barrett & Ralph Horne & John Fien, 2016. "The Ethical City: A Rationale for an Urgent New Urban Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:11:p:1197-:d:83260
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scott Vitell, 2015. "A Case for Consumer Social Responsibility (CnSR): Including a Selected Review of Consumer Ethics/Social Responsibility Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 130(4), pages 767-774, September.
    2. Atkinson, Anthony B., 2015. "Inequality: what can be done?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 101810, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Harvey, David, 2007. "A Brief History of Neoliberalism," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199283279.
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    1. Samara da Silva Neiva & Ramaswamy Arun Prasath & Wellyngton Silva de Amorim & Mauricio de Andrade Lima & Samuel Borges Barbosa & João Marcelo Pereira Ribeiro & Flávio Ceci & Jonas Schneider & André Bo, 2021. "Sustainable urban development: Can the balanced scorecard contribute to the strategic management of sustainable cities?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(6), pages 1155-1172, November.
    2. Kayla Stajkovic & Alexander D. Stajkovic, 2024. "Ethics of Care Leadership, Racial Inclusion, and Economic Health in the Cities: Is There a Female Leadership Advantage?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(4), pages 699-721, February.
    3. Derek Ezell & Victoria Bush & Matthew B. Shaner & Scott Vitell & Jiangang Huang, 2023. "Challenging the Good Life: An Institutional Theoretic Investigation of Consumers’ Transformational Process Toward Sustainable Living," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(3), pages 783-804, March.

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