A ladder of sense of place: Case study of Crow Island Beach Park, Sri Lanka

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the field of sense of place research due to its influence on community participation. However, this area faces primary limitations characterized by terminological and conceptual ambiguity and challenges related to empirical operationalization. This paper aims to explore the dynamics of sense of place among the members of Crow Island Beach Park Management Society (BPMS), Sri Lanka. This study adopts a case study research design and through purposive snowball sampling 16 individuals were selected for interviews. Several recurring themes emerged when analyzing the interview-derived data, forming a conceptual progression resembling a ladder. The findings of this study reveal distinct stages of progression from placelessness, connected, committed, commend the place is best and consecrate the place over personal aspirations. The themes contributed to the development of ‘a ladder of sense of place’. This novel conceptual framework broadens existing notions of sense of place and introduces new dimensions to measurement scales. It can serve as a valuable tool for urban designers, planners, landscape architects and policymakers, enabling them to conduct qualitative assessments of individuals' sense of place on a local level. Moreover, it facilitates community participation in place-making and environmental management.