Place attachment in green buildings: Making the connections

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in the human dimensions of green buildings, connections between green building design and place attachment have received little attention in the theoretical or empirical research. Place attachment is a well-established psychological theory with relevance to environments of varying form and function and could inform green building theory and practice. We therefore review relevant literature to explore the potential for place attachment to develop in, or interact with, occupants’ experiences of buildings designed with sustainability in mind. Specifically, we examine possible interrelations between green building design strategies and psychological processes of place attachment (i.e., affect, identity, and dependence) in non-residential buildings. We additionally consider the influential role of personal and cultural factors. In the process of making these theoretical connections, four key green design strategies emerged as most salient to supporting place attachment: 1) biophilic design and opportunities for connection to nature, 2) visible environmentalism, 3) opportunities for pro-environmental behaviors, and 4) indoor environmental quality that supports physiological comfort. These strategies already provide a range of social and ecological benefits, but may additionally -- by enhancing feelings of place attachment -- promote pro-environmental behaviors and general quality of life for occupants within green buildings. The work here seeks to catalyze future empirical research on place attachment processes in green buildings and inform increasingly human-centric approaches to green building design.