Place Identity Research Articles

Bridging traditions: Placemaking and authenticity in architecture for city branding

Abstract This paper explores the symbiotic relationship between placemaking and the authenticity of traditional architecture in the realm of city branding, using Surakarta City in Indonesia as a pivotal case study. It posits that the conscious integration of placemaking initiatives with the preservation and celebration of traditional architectural authenticity can significantly amplify any city’s brand identity, rendering it distinct and resonant on the global scale. Surakarta, with its rich cultural heritage and commitment to preserving Javanese architectural motifs, exemplifies how traditional elements can coalesce with contemporary urban development strategies to foster a sense of place and community identity. Through a qualitative analysis of Surakarta’s urban planning and community engagement practices, this study underscores the transformative impact of authentic architectural preservation in placemaking processes. The findings suggest that such an approach not only enhances the aesthetic and cultural landscape of cities but also strengthens their branding, attracting tourism and investment by offering a unique narrative. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for urban policymakers and planners, advocating for a balanced integration of cultural authenticity and innovative place-making to achieve sustainable and impactful city branding. This study contributes to the broader discourse on urban development, highlighting the indispensable role of architectural authenticity in crafting compelling city narratives.

Architectural Narratives in Urban Fabric - Shaping Place Identity through Adaptive Reuse in Brooklyn -

Architectural Narratives in Urban Fabric - Shaping Place Identity through Adaptive Reuse in Brooklyn -

Framing Climate Solutions: An Exploratory Quantitative Content Analysis

ABSTRACT News warning about climate risks has not typically included information about how society can respond, but journalism about credible efforts to address climate change is becoming more prevalent. To understand how news employing this emerging approach is framed we undertook an inductive quantitative content analysis of climate solutions journalism. Cluster analysis of 244 text-based climate solutions news stories published in U.S.-based outlets resulted in three previously undescribed news frames. The most prevalent frame (88%) focuses on adaptation over mitigation with little mention of causes, while stories emblematic of the second-most prevalent frame featured responses led by people typically drawing on place-based identity and working cooperatively beyond partisanship. The least prevalent frame emphasizes mitigation and who is morally responsible. Findings contribute to framing theory as well as offer practical implications for journalists seeking to engage news audiences about this critical issue.

Factors Influencing Visitors' Desire to Visit a First Class Temple on Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok, Using Regression Tree

Visitors' desire to visit a first-class temple on Rattanakosin Island in Bangkok is analysed in this quantitative study. We used closed-ended questions along with Likert scales (1-5) to survey 974 respondents. The questionnaire served as a research instrument, and the sample was chosen randomly through accidental sampling methods. The data was analysed using computer programs. The pull factor analysis demonstrates that the model effectively predicts outcomes with significant predictive capacity (MSE: 0.48, RMSE: 0.219, MAE: 0.170, MAPE: 50.84%, R2: 0.952). The push factor analysis also shows high explanatory power (MSE: 0.040, RMSE: 0.200, MAE: 0.157, MAPE: 46.08%, R2: 0.962). The study identifies key pull factors, including place identity, sacred sites, and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. Push factors comprise connecting with the divine, purifying the mind, and discovering new things.A key strategy for enhancing the appeal of Bangkok's royal temples is to preserve and promote significant landmarks, integrate educational and cultural experiences, prioritise health and safety measures during COVID-19, and provide exceptional customer service. Furthermore, the study recommends incorporating Dharma practices and preserving sacred sites to facilitate merit-making opportunities. By focusing on these recommendations, religious sites can increase their appeal to visitors and contribute to their overall well-being.

Embodied power: How do museum tourists’ sensory experiences affect place identity?

Museums are venues centred around experiences, and the sensory experiences therein offer exemplary opportunities to construct tourists' attitudes and develop emotional resonance. Based on embodied cognitive theory, this article aims to explore the dimensions of museum sensory experiences and how they shape place identity. Findings were drawn from a pair of studies. Study 1, which was qualitative and based on grounded theory, uncovered three dimensions of museum tourists' sensory experiences (i.e., visual expression, auditory expression, and physical expression). Study 2 involved a questionnaire; quantitative analysis of the 433 responses showed that museum sensory experiences could significantly influence place identity. This consequence arises from visitors' emotional interactions and emotional experiences, with collective memory positively moderating the process. The study reveals the influence mechanism of museum sensory experiences based on embodied cognition theory and demonstrates the two emotional pathways through which sensory experiences affect place identity. Additionally, it offers management insights for fostering tourists’ place identity.

The impact of place attachment on the environmentally responsible behavior of residents in National Park gateway communities and the mediating effect of environmental commitment: a case of China National Park

As a member of the national park, the environmentally responsible behavior of the entrance community residents has an important impact on the ecological protection of the national park. However, there are still insufficient studies on the mechanism of influence of community residents’ place attachment on environmentally responsible behavior and the role of environmental commitment. Based on the theory of interdependence, this study explored the impact of residents’ place attachment in a national park gateway community on environmentally responsible behavior, and examined the mediating role of environmental commitment. We conducted empirical research on Shuiman gateway community of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest China National Park. Through structural equation modeling, the survey of 375 residents yielded the following conclusions: (1) place dependence indirectly affect environmentally responsible behavior via the mediating effect of place identity; (2) both place dependence and place identity have a positive and significant impact on environmental commitment; (3) environmental commitment has a positive and significant impact on environmentally responsible behavior; (4) the mediating effect of environmental commitment on the impact of place dependence on environmentally responsible behavior is significant and “place identity–environmental commitment” also has a significant mediating effect. Finally, three managerial insights were discussed. This study enriches the connotation and application scope of interdependence theory, explains the different roles of place dependence, place identity, and environmental commitment in the study of environmentally responsible behavior, and provides some inspiration for future research and practice of environmentally responsible behavior. It is helpful for community residents to participate in the ecological environment governance of national parks and achieve sustainable development.

LANDSCAPE ATTRACTIVENESS AND PLACE IDENTITY: CONSIDERING THE ROLE OF URBAN PARKS

Urban parks, vital public spaces for community health and well-being, also face challenges related to safety and security. Balancing the need for recreational spaces with ensuring safety is paramount for urban stability. However, existing research on the nexus between landscape attractiveness and perceived safety often overlooks the influence of factors such as park usage patterns, place identity, and park typologies. To address this research gap, we conducted a survey among 411 urban park users and employed SmartPLS and SPSS for data analysis. Our findings reveal a robust correlation between landscape attractiveness and perceived safety. Furthermore, we uncover that the combined influence of place identity and time spent in the park can serve as positive mediators in this relationship. Surprisingly, our analysis indicates that time spent in the park alone does not exert a significant mediating effect. Notably, our results highlight nuanced variations: the association between landscape attractiveness and place identity is particularly pronounced in parks with lower landscape attractiveness, while the mediating role of place identity on the relationship between park usage time and perceived safety is more pronounced in parks with higher landscape attractiveness. These findings contribute to our understanding of how urban park landscapes relate to perceived safety and provide new insights for improving the safety of urban parks, offering valuable insights for urban planners and public health policymakers in designing healthier urban environments.

Quality of Life and Attachments to Rural Settlements: The Basis for Regeneration and Socio-Economic Sustainability

Balanced territorial development and improving living conditions have become the focus of rural development policies. As the number of young people moving to cities or other countries is increasing, rural settlements face serious demographic disbalances and aging societies. Quality of life and place attachment are both key variables in enhancing the social and economic capacities of rural and undeveloped communities and reducing youth out-migration. However, this topic remains underexplored, especially among younger generations, who are critical for further socio-economic sustainability. Thus, the main goal of this study was to explore young residents’ perceptions about quality of life, level of attachment to their rural homes, and their interrelationship. This study was conducted among 299 participants in rural areas of Serbia and Croatia. The results identified two quality of life factors: (1) satisfaction with the quality of infrastructure and (2) satisfaction with culture and education. Three attachment factors were extracted, among which place identity was the strongest. Additionally, the influence of quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics on place attachment was confirmed. These results provide new insights that could be very useful in creating strategies and initiatives for rural planning and strengthening rural areas’ social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Temple Corridors in Indian Cities: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Temples and heritage corridors have successfully contributed to the redesign of Indian cities, yielding positive outcomes in terms of cultural heritage, tourism, and business. Such projects aid in revitalizing historical districts, preserving traditions, and fostering greater public concern for urban environments. Nevertheless, several challenges persist, such as the risk of commercialization, altering the authentic image or identity of places, social inequality during gentrification, and balancing modernization with conservation. Despite these challenges, these initiatives highlight cultural identity, which should be safeguarded through careful planning to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. A critical question remains: has the transformation of Indian cities diminished their aesthetic and cultural value? Temple corridors in Indian cities blend Indian culture with contemporary architectural and planning techniques. This paper reviews the development, significance, and evolution of temple corridors within the urban Indian context, focusing on their roles as cultural institutions, social amenities, and tourist attractions.

The moderating effect of place attachment on visitors’ trust and support for recreational fees in national parks

The success of fee programs on public lands hinges on visitors' perceptions and reactions towards recreational fees, emphasizing the importance of understanding visitor dynamics in park management decisions. Using Indiana Dunes National Park in the U.S. as the study context, this study investigates the role of trust and place attachment in shaping visitors' support for national park entrance fees. Informed by social judgment theory, we hypothesize that place identity (socio-emotional attachment) will strengthen the relationship between trust and fee support, while place dependence (functional attachment) will weaken it. Our sample included 900 park visitors. The findings showed that as visitors’ place dependence increased, trust in the park agency became less critical in fee support. However, place identity did not significantly impact the trust-fee support relationship. These results underscore the importance of building trust and fostering place dependence among visitors to increase support for fee-related decisions by park managers. This study extends the environmental psychology literature and the recreation fee literature by furthering our understanding of the interplay among trust, place attachment, and fee support in the context of protected area management, providing insights for policymakers and park managers grappling with the contentious discourse surrounding park fees.

(Re)shaping the Tourists’ Imagined Identity of Mosuo towards Sustainable Ethnic Tourism Development in Southwest China

Ethnic tourism development has emerged as a vital strategy in ethnic regions to drive local economic growth and improve the quality of life. However, numerous ethnic areas have undergone transformation to accommodate tourism and commercial advancement, with little regard for the conservation of their cultural values. Therefore, the aim of this study is to enhance the cultural tourism attributes and construct place identities from the tourists’ perspective. By conducting fieldwork in Zhaishi village of Yongning Township and Lige village near Lugu Lake, encompassing semi-structured interviews with professionals and questionnaires for tourists, we explore the relationship between the “imagined” and “perceived” identity from the tourists’ perspective and the constructed identity from the authorities’ perspective in two Mosuo villages in China. The findings suggest that the local government should focus on the (re)shaping of tourists’ imagined identity and perceived identities. The results of this study provide policy recommendations for the future development of tourism in the Mosuo region, thereby enriching the perspective of ethnic tourism research.

Landscape of Distrust: Political Trust Across America’s Urban-Rural Divide

Do rural Americans trust the government less than non-rural Americans? In an era of declining trust in government and mounting geographic polarization, this research examines the relationship between geography, identity, and attitudes of political trust in the United States. Using national survey data from the 2016 and 2020 American National Election Studies time series surveys, this quantitative analysis tests hypotheses that rurality in the context of place and place-based identity is associated with lower trust in the federal government. Overall, the results show that both living in and identifying with more rural areas corresponds with decreased government trust, regardless of the political party of the incumbent president. These findings contribute to the understanding of America’s urban-rural political divide and suggest significant implications for both partisan leaders and policymakers.

Enhancing Economic, Social, and Ecological Resilience Through Sustainable Waterfront Development in Penang

The global economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted development across various regions, including Penang, where supply chain disruptions, restricted cash flow, and delayed progress have led to reduced economic growth for stakeholders and communities alike. This study aims to explore the interconnected economic, social, and ecological (ESE) systems within the context of sustainable waterfront development in Penang, focusing on how these systems contribute to economic resilience and dynamism. The land and water resources of Penang, strategically situated along vital maritime routes, present substantial potential for economic revitalization. A quantitative research approach was employed, gathering data from questionnaire surveys, revealing a positive correlation between ESE variables. Key attributes such as local authority governance, development scale and impact, business operations, place identity, heritage preservation, and waste management were found to play crucial roles in shaping sustainable waterfront initiatives. The study highlights that Penang’s core economic sectors—agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and services—have historically driven the local economy, but the growing focus on waterfront development offers new avenues for economic recovery and growth. The results validate the chosen quantitative methodology and underscore the importance of adopting integrated strategies to address land and water management challenges. By aligning with sustainability goals and adopting a holistic approach, Penang's waterfront development can foster resilience, ensuring long-term socio-economic and ecological balance. The insights provided contribute to a broader understanding of sustainable urban development and offer actionable strategies for policymakers and stakeholders involved in Penang's waterfront projects.

Questioning the Meaning of Place in Extended Exile: The Cases of the Balata and Jenin Refugee Camps

Within the context of extended displacement, this research examines the meaning of ‘place’ as perceived by long-term Palestinian refugees residing in two prominent West Bank camps, Balata and Jenin. The study delves into the complex dynamics of place within the context of protracted exile. Using a robust constructivist grounded theory approach, it enables theoretical revelations to surface from empirical evidence collected in the field. Fieldwork was performed, employing a mixed-methods strategy that incorporates a Likert scale questionnaire and in-depth interviews with three different generations of displaced individuals. Despite the crises induced by forced displacement and its influence on place identity, the research illuminates the ability to form place attachments to these temporary settlements. Notably, this attachment is unique in its dependence on memories and connections to a lost homeland rather than the physical attributes of the current living environment. The findings of the study contribute to the theoretical exploration of place attachment, place identity, and place dependence, specifically in contexts of extended displacement. Moreover, the insights derived from the research have practical implications for the management and planning strategies within such refugee settlements.

Street art and place-making of villages: examples of Italian painted villages

PurposeThis study aims to discuss the contribution of street art projects to the place-making of villages and the effects it generates for local stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is developed based on the main characteristics of the place-making process, street art, creative place-making, as well as place identity, revitalisation and regeneration. This framework defines a set of thematic categories for the qualitative content analysis of online information, e.g. websites, media and blog posts, as well as in-depth interviews with local stakeholders.FindingsThis research presents the contribution of street art in place-making involving citizens, local businesses and international artists in a collective act to preserve local identity and revitalise and regenerate villages.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is focused only on villages. Cities are not considered in the research.Practical implicationsStreet art projects provide villages with several opportunities, such as stimulating place regeneration and revitalisation, giving new shape and decoration to neighbourhoods and streets and attracting visitors and business. Moreover, street art is commonly used to communicate local history, culture, traditions and social and political facts, helping places to vehiculate their identity and their messages to the next generations. Street art is also used as a part of a place branding strategy.Social implicationsThe village gets the opportunity to exploit the street art value proposition to stimulate the restocking of the place, if the primary stakeholders of the place are ready to invest in the new place identity giving trust to the street art project.Originality/valueStreet art projects contribute to the place-making of villages. They are used to communicate place identity, fostering cooperation between local stakeholders and economic and social development.

Conceptualizing the Influence of Souvenir Image and Place Identity on Souvenir Repurchasing Intentions

The local traditions, including arts and crafts, are considered as the important things by which the tourism industry can be attracted by a particular country. The souvenirs are the best tool to tell friends or family about your concern towards them during traveling. Chinese ceramics are considered classic souvenirs to purchase while traveling because the ceramic products have been utilized by the residents for many years. Chinese people have a very significant and firm attachment to their native products they call them souvenirs. The purchase of souvenirs is an integral part of a country’s tourism sector. Therefore, this conceptual paper explores the role of souvenir image, and place identity in boosting the re-purchase intentions of Chinese tourism industry employees for souvenir products. The researcher has reviewed the existing literature to propose a framework to investigate the determinants of the re-purchase intentions for souvenir products. Thus, the study contributed to the existing body of literature on the determinants of re purchase intentions. The proposed research framework has made a significant addition to the literature.

Social Cluster and Heritage Memory: A Study on the Space Perception of Zhaozhou Basin Horse Caravan Vernacular Architecture

Located in Dali, Yunnan, the Zhaozhou basin is home to many precious architectural heritages, particularly the historical horse caravan architecture. These buildings face the challenge of renewal and transformation. It is of great significance to explore the local population’s awareness of the architectural heritage of the horse caravan in order to protect the architectural heritage and facilitate rural revitalization. This study reviews the related research on “space perception”, establishes a theoretical framework of space perception under the architectural dimension, and develops hypotheses. The social cluster of typical settlements in the Zhaozhou basin is selected as the research object, and empirical analyses are carried out using SPSS and AMOS software. An analytical framework model of empirical research is constructed to evaluate the space perception of the current social population. The results of the reliability and validity tests of the questionnaire show that the CR is greater than 0.7 and that the AVE is greater than 0.5. The value of the structural equation model fitting index χ2/df is 1.863, which is less than 3. The model test results show that research hypotheses H1–H5 are supported; that is, space perception has a significant positive impact on cognition and local identity, cognition has a significant positive impact on local identity and space function, and place identity has a significant positive impact on space appeal. This study demonstrates the relationship between space perception and the architectural remains of the horse caravan, and it analyzes the human psychological perception behind the material space. The findings support the need for further conservation of the horse caravan architecture. This study further deepens the theory of space perception and its application in the study of vernacular architecture, which can provide a research path for the protection and development of vernacular architectural heritage.

Virtual changes in real places: Understanding the role of place attachment in augmented reality adoption

Augmented reality (AR) technology has the potential to transform how individuals interact with real-world environments, offering individuals the unique capability to induce virtual changes in a place. In two studies (Ntotal = 2305), we investigated the relationship between place attachment and willingness to use different types of AR applications: informative (focused on providing information about the place's past and future) and transformative (altering the appearance of a place or the way it is used). We used different measures of place attachment, distinguished by the personal significance attributed to the place. We found that traditional place attachment and place dependence were negatively correlated with willingness to use informative AR applications; the opposite relationship was observed for active place attachment and place identity. Transformative AR applications were more accepted by individuals with high active place attachment; however, we did not observe the expected negative relationship between traditional place attachment and this type of AR. Our study is the first to show how various forms of attachment shape willingness to implement virtual alterations in real locations, offering a preliminary understanding of whether these changes are perceived as positive or negative.

Vernacular Landscapes in the Carpathians: Materialized Imaginaries in Post-Soviet Ukraine

Diverse landscapes and eclectic architecture emerged in the Carpathians after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This paper examines what imaginaries materialized about urbanity/urbanness, modernity, and people’s relationships to place and authenticity in vernacular landscapes and architecture in the Boikivshchyna region in Ukraine. Landscape visual/textual analysis shows from the perspective of semiotics that local residents now relate more closely to modernity and progress, but have cut their rustic roots by disregarding both place identity and building traditions. Conspicuous consumption with urban and social status symbols is evident in affluent residents’ houses and utilitarianism in the homes of the less wealthy.

The relationship research between restorative perception, local attachment and environmental responsible behavior of urban park recreationists

The environmentally responsible behavior of tourists has been one of the focal points in the field of sustainable tourism research in recent years. Taking Guangzhou City Park as an example, this study investigates the relationship between restorative perception, place attachment, and environmentally responsible behavior of urban park recreationists by constructing the theoretical framework of "cognition-emotion-behavior" of recreationalists via online questionnaire surveys and using the test method of structural equation mode. Studies have shown that: (1) When the restorative perception of the environment is compatible, malleable, and attractive, the recreationist will produce environmentally responsible behavior. Meanwhile, when the environment has a sense of distance and compatibility, it will promote the active environmentally responsible behavior of tourists; (2) the path of perceptual environmental compatibility in the restorative perception of recreationists being → place dependence→ place identity → environmentally responsible behavior has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior; (3) place attachment has a significant positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. This paper suggests that urban park management governors should focus on improving the charm and attractiveness of parks, diversifying recreational activities, and creating emotional attachment places, so as to promote the development of urban parks and meet the diverse needs and experiences of park recreation.