Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg

Cecilia Cassinger; Monica Porzionato

doi:10.4337/9781035347544.00009

Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg

Cecilia Cassinger, Monica Porzionato

Department of Communication

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

In this chapter we propose a novel ethical approach to city branding based on a relational understanding of vulnerability. We rethink the prevailing ethics of competition and competitiveness in the field by demonstrating its limitations for contributing positively to urban sustainable development. An ethics of vulnerability approach is outlined based on principles of performativity, interdependence, and relationality, and an obligation to care for the vulnerable.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	City Branding
Subtitle of host publication	Concepts and Tools for Reputation Management and Tourism Development
Editors/authors	Alex Deffner, Mihalis Kavaratzis
Place of Publication	Cheltenham
Publisher	Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Chapter	2
Pages	15-28
Number of pages	14
ISBN (Electronic)	9781035347544
ISBN (Print)	9781035347537
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035347544.00009
Publication status	Published - 2025 Feb 6

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Media and Communication Studies

Free keywords

Competition
Ethics
Feminism
Relationality
Sustainability
Vulnerability

Access to Document

10.4337/9781035347544.00009

Cite this

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title = "Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg",

abstract = "In this chapter we propose a novel ethical approach to city branding based on a relational understanding of vulnerability. We rethink the prevailing ethics of competition and competitiveness in the field by demonstrating its limitations for contributing positively to urban sustainable development. An ethics of vulnerability approach is outlined based on principles of performativity, interdependence, and relationality, and an obligation to care for the vulnerable.",

keywords = "Competition, Ethics, Feminism, Relationality, Sustainability, Vulnerability",

author = "Cecilia Cassinger and Monica Porzionato",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

day = "6",

doi = "10.4337/9781035347544.00009",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781035347537",

pages = "15--28",

editor = "Alex Deffner and Mihalis Kavaratzis",

booktitle = "City Branding",

publisher = "Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.",

address = "United Kingdom",

}

Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg. / Cassinger, Cecilia ; Porzionato, Monica.
City Branding: Concepts and Tools for Reputation Management and Tourism Development. ed. / Alex Deffner; Mihalis Kavaratzis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., 2025. p. 15-28.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Rethinking ethics in city branding

T2 - from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg

AU - Cassinger, Cecilia

AU - Porzionato, Monica

PY - 2025/2/6

Y1 - 2025/2/6

N2 - In this chapter we propose a novel ethical approach to city branding based on a relational understanding of vulnerability. We rethink the prevailing ethics of competition and competitiveness in the field by demonstrating its limitations for contributing positively to urban sustainable development. An ethics of vulnerability approach is outlined based on principles of performativity, interdependence, and relationality, and an obligation to care for the vulnerable.

AB - In this chapter we propose a novel ethical approach to city branding based on a relational understanding of vulnerability. We rethink the prevailing ethics of competition and competitiveness in the field by demonstrating its limitations for contributing positively to urban sustainable development. An ethics of vulnerability approach is outlined based on principles of performativity, interdependence, and relationality, and an obligation to care for the vulnerable.

KW - Competition

KW - Ethics

KW - Feminism

KW - Relationality

KW - Sustainability

KW - Vulnerability

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UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005682585

U2 - 10.4337/9781035347544.00009

DO - 10.4337/9781035347544.00009

M3 - Book chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105005682585

SN - 9781035347537

SP - 15

EP - 28

BT - City Branding

A2 - Deffner, Alex

A2 - Kavaratzis, Mihalis

PB - Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.

CY - Cheltenham

ER -

Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg

Abstract

UN SDGs

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Free keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Feeling the changing climate: An affective approach to the strategic communication of floods in a tourist city

Rethinking urban tourism development: Dealing with sustainability in the age of over-tourism

Communicating care in eco-conscious organisations

Cite this

Rethinking ethics in city branding: from competition to vulnerability. Lessons from Venice and Gothenburg

Abstract

UN SDGs

Subject classification (UKÄ)

Free keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Research output

Feeling the changing climate: An affective approach to the strategic communication of floods in a tourist city

Projects

Rethinking urban tourism development: Dealing with sustainability in the age of over-tourism

Activities

Communicating care in eco-conscious organisations

Cite this