What is sense of place
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Understanding Sense of Place
Definition and Importance of Sense of Place
Sense of place is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the emotional and cognitive bonds people form with specific locations. It is influenced by both social and geographical contexts, including aesthetics, feelings of dwelling, and local ancestry2. This concept is increasingly significant in various fields, such as organizational research, sustainability studies, and environmental psychology, reflecting its broad applicability and importance1 7.
Components of Sense of Place
Place Attachment and Place Meaning
Sense of place is often broken down into two primary components: place attachment and place meaning. Place attachment refers to the emotional bonds people develop with a place, while place meaning involves the symbolic meanings and values associated with that place7 8. These components can be measured psychometrically and are crucial for understanding how people relate to their environments7.
Developmental Contexts
The development of a sense of place can vary significantly based on factors such as residential status, age, and cultural background. For instance, individuals who grow up in a particular location tend to develop a more rooted sense of place, influenced by multigenerational patterns and local ancestry2. This development can be categorized into stages: embryonic (childhood to adolescence), commitment (early to mid-adulthood), and culmination (mid-adulthood to old age)2.
Measuring Sense of Place
Empirical Approaches
Researchers have developed various methods to measure sense of place, including scales that assess different levels of intensity and mixed-method approaches that consider both natural and anthropogenic features4 5. These methods aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how people construct their relationships with their surroundings.
Case Studies and Surveys
Empirical studies, such as those conducted in Tasmanian protected areas and among Jewish students in Toronto, have demonstrated the effectiveness of these measurement tools. These studies highlight the importance of considering multiple dimensions, such as place attachment, place meaning, and the scales over which these features occur4 5.
Applications and Implications
Organizational Research and Sustainability
In organizational research, incorporating the concepts of place and sense of place can lead to more comprehensive and transformative understandings of sustainability. By engaging with these issues, scholars can develop more effective strategies for promoting sustainable practices1.
Place-Based Science Teaching
In the context of education, particularly place-based science teaching, sense of place can be a valuable learning outcome. By focusing on local and regional environments, educators can leverage students' and teachers' senses of place to enhance engagement and learning outcomes7.
Destination Branding
Understanding sense of place is also crucial for destination branding. By appreciating the constructs of time, ancestry, landscape, and community, branding strategies can be more effectively tailored to reflect the unique characteristics and values of a place, thereby resonating more deeply with both residents and visitors10.
Conclusion
Sense of place is a complex and dynamic concept that plays a crucial role in how individuals and communities interact with their environments. By understanding and measuring its components—place attachment and place meaning—researchers and practitioners can better appreciate the emotional and symbolic bonds people form with places. This understanding has significant implications for fields ranging from organizational research and sustainability to education and destination branding.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Place and Sense of Place
Incorporating place and sense of place in organizational research can lead to more comprehensive and transformative understandings of sustainability.
Highly CitedSENSE OF PLACE IN DEVELOPMENTAL CONTEXT
A sense of place is rooted in the place and influenced by insider status and local ancestry, with modern society tending to develop a partial or personal sense of place due to high residential mobility.
Highly CitedHabitus: A Sense of Place
This book explores the link between habitus and sense of place, examining the politics of space and place, place-making processes, and decolonizing spatial habitus.
Highly CitedSense of place: an empirical measurement
This study develops a scale to measure sense of place, testing it among Jewish students in Toronto, to distinguish between metro Toronto, Ontario, and Canada.
Highly CitedAssessing sense of place in natural settings: a mixed-method approach
A mixed-method approach, considering natural and anthropogenic features, scales, responses, and attachment forms, effectively assesses people's sense of place in natural settings.
Sense of place: trends from the literature
Sense of place has evolved over time and dimensions used to define and measure it have changed with time and discipline, highlighting the need for careful study in considering dimensions and context.
Observational StudySense of place in the practice and assessment of place‐based science teaching
Place-based science teaching significantly increases students' sense of place attachment and meaning, making it a measurable learning outcome and potential assessment measure.
Highly CitedToward a Social Psychology of Place
Symbolic meanings play a crucial role in place satisfaction and attachment, which in turn influence individuals' willingness to engage in behaviors that maintain or enhance valued attributes of a setting.
Highly CitedThe power of place in understanding place attachments and meanings
This study highlights the importance of physical and concrete places in defining sense of place, providing insights for land-use planners and inhabitants to enhance dialogue and understanding of attachments and meanings.
Observational StudySense of Place
Understanding the sense of place experienced by local residents is crucial for effective destination branding, focusing on time, ancestry, landscape, and community.
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