The evaluation of city landmarks through the study of place attachment in Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

The presence of landmarks is one form of city identity. The city landmark is a symbol of pride that describes the city history, power, and future dream; it also reflects characteristics of the city and society. Theoretically, the identity or symbol creates a bonding with the society called as place attachment; since it represents the true meaning of the people and place characteristics. This research aims to evaluate current city landmarks of Surabaya through the place attachment study of specific young adults aged 19 yr to 22 yr. The implementation of mixed qualitative-quantitative research method is used to understand the respondents’ spatial perception by observing their social life and place preferences in the city to define social and physical symbols. The social symbols and physical symbols were compared to reveals the current value of the city landmarks. This research found that the attachment of the young adults to the Surabaya’s landmarks is weak. Young adults recognized the city landmarks in term of strong intrinsic value. It gives them a pleasant feeling by seeing the place. However, they were not engaged in the place. To improve its place attachment, the city landmarks should provide the affordance of desired and desirable activities.