Cultivating Virtue: Neo-Aristotelian Concepts in Public Space Development

Abstract

AbstractIn this chapter we demonstrate how the insights from contemporary Aristotelian ethical and political thought might inform urban planning and challenge its utilitarian norms. We propose the Aristotelian concepts of eudaimonia—which we translate as human well-being or flourishing—and of the virtues (excellences of character and understanding) and civic friendship as guiding concepts for today’s urban development, especially in the design and programming of urban public space.In determining how best to integrate the above-mentioned notions in urban development, we employ the neo-Aristotelian concept of practices, as distinct from organizational institutions, and introduce the concept of communities of virtue proposed by Alasdair MacIntyre. We argue that the development of urban public space should take account of citizens’ participative practices, rather than only of functions that are administratively conceived.We conclude with a discussion of urban agriculture as an example of a practice situated in urban public space—a cooperative activity that cultivates the ethical virtues, sociality, and productive skills of its participants in pursuit of a common good, whilst also contributing to the wider good of local communities.