Assessing sense of place in natural settings: a mixed-method approach

Abstract

Sense of place is an important concept for understanding how people construct relations with their surroundings. A thorough analysis of place meanings needs to consider (1) natural and anthropogenic features that are the sources of place formation; (2) scales over which these features occur; (3) the range of potential responses to these features; and (4) functional and emotional forms of place attachment. However, previous approaches to assessing sense of place have not encompassed all these elements. Using case studies of two Tasmanian protected areas, we demonstrate a mixed-method approach that enabled comprehensive assessment of stakeholders’ senses of place.

Keywords:

• sense of place
• assessment methods
• natural areas