The art of inclusion: phenomenology, placemaking and the role of the arts

Abstract

This paper extends emerging research on the role of the arts in placemaking by introducing readers to the theories of Hannah Arendt. Specifically, it outlines the value of an Arendtian phenomenological framework for conceiving why, how and in what ways 'inclusion' could and should operate in placemaking. The paper first presents an outline of Arendt's phenomenological approach. An exploratory case study of arts activities in a rural Irish town is then employed to illustrate the explanatory potential of this approach. The paper closes by reflecting on how an Arendtian approach suggests important lessons for placemaking research and practice.

Conceptualizing an Informational Paradigm in the Pursuit of Sustainable Cities and Communities

“…The key challenge in Sustainable Development (SD) is finding a balance among its components [31]. Despite advancements in researching technical aspects of sustainable applications, there's been a disproportionate focus on economic [25] and environmental aspects [32] over the social dimension [26,[33][34][35]. The advancement in understanding the role of social attributes in environmental applications is notable [26][27][28]30], yet the development of sustainable communities rooted in the integration of social theories into practical applications remains insufficiently explored.…”