Building consensus through place: Place-making as a driver for place-based collaboration

Abstract

Place-based collaboration is of increasing interest as a means to involve scientists, managers and local stakeholders in resource management. Although place attachment, place identity and place meanings often have been used to investigate place-based collaboration, the processes facilitating cooperation are not yet clearly defined. Through a case study of a long-term voluntary collaboration, the Beaver Hills Initiative, we investigated the role of these factors in initiating and sustaining cooperation through interviews with members of the collaboration, photo-elicitation, and content analysis of past presentations about the collaboration. We found the collaboration was supported by place-based mechanisms operating at both the group and individual level. Place-making by the leaders of the collaboration in motivational, diagnostic and collective action frames led to development of shared place identity and personal place meanings, which merged with social norms for conservation of “special places”. The resulting motivations, at the group and personal level, explained the long-term, voluntary cooperation by study participants. Findings suggest socially-mediated and experiential aspects of place attachment and place-making can influence place-based collaborative action.

Keywords:

• effective collaboration
• place-based collaboration
• place-based management

Public Interest Statement

Place has been reported to facilitate collaborative approaches to land management, though mechanisms are not yet well understood. In this case study of a long-term collaboration, we examined how place attachment, place identity and place meanings contributed to voluntary cooperative management of a regionally important natural area. Key actors redefined this place in terms designed to inspire concern and cooperative action, which merged with social norms about conservation of “special areas”. The resulting group definition was reinterpreted by supportive participants based on their experiences in this place, and their perceived ability to make change. Subtly different types of individual motivations emerged, but each explained the individual’s sustained participation in the collaboration. Our findings suggest that such “place-making” activities can help facilitate cooperative action, by allowing individuals to rationalize contribution to a shared goal in ways most suitable and meaningful to themselves.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D.L. (Dee) Patriquin

Dr D.L. (Dee) Patriquin is an interdisciplinary scientist trained in wildlife ecology and environmental policy. Over her career, she has contributed to environmental impact assessment and conservation policy, working across a variety of industry and government sectors. Her PhD research focused on the development of collaborative environmental policy for sustainable development, a research area she continues to be involved in through her environmental consulting practice and as an adjunct professor with the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. Dr Elizabeth Halpenny is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, with a research focus in tourism, marketing, environmental psychology and protected areas management. Her current projects include exploration of individual attitudes toward natural areas, investigations of World Heritage designation and other park-related branding. This case study explored aspects of place-making applicable to both of our areas of expertise, as part of Dr Patriquin’s PhD research.