Impacts of Environmental Change on Place Attachment in a Small-Island Destination

Abstract

Literature shows that environmental change would profoundly influence residents' emotional ties with their community. This study attempts to further the examination by probing into the relationship between perceived ecological change and place attachment at a small-island destination where tourism has become a heavyweight business and transformed the living quality of locals. The survey questionnaires are distributed to the residents of the study site Kinmen archipelago in Taiwan. The resultant data illustrate that age, occupation, the town of residence, house ownership, and the length of residence moderate the resident's place attachment. Besides, from a result of regression analysis, the perception of rapid community development reveals a positive relationship with the level of place attachment. This study suggests timely strategies enticing younger residents' place attachment along with other managerial actions, helping invigorate the community living.