Ethical perspectives on the environmental impact of property development

Three perspectives that can be found in ethical decision-making are explored to suggest guidelines for ethical property development: the instrumental, the intrinsic and the pluralist perspective. Given the limitations of the instrumental and the intrinsic perspectives, it is suggested that the appropriate perspective to be adopted by ethical property developers is that of pragmatism, as being a system of moral pluralism. This perspective can be utilised as a flexible toolbox which unites both traditional ethical values and the diversity of environmental ethics, as well as allowing new values to emerge without adhering to relativism.

Housing sociale: la dimensione politica del progetto

In the autumn of 2010, the municipality and Faculty of Architecture of Alghero took part in a "manifestation of interest" for social housing pilot projects held by the Region of Sardinia. The formulation of the proposal constituted an opportunity for research into the relationship between housing policies and urban planning policies and on the role of housing in the construction of the "public town or city". It contained many innovative features, the most important of which was the use of ethical property funds and the involvement of the private sector in the construction of public sector assets. Considerations included the political dimension of the project, that which makes it a tool to acquire knowledge of the local area, a summary of its complexities never subordinate to policies or the mere application of them. The project is a platform capable of generating synergies and economic and social dynamics. In short it is able to trigger urban life processes.