This article identifies the issues related to place identity by examining the concept of place and its theories in the literature. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between the three main components of place identity: physical settings, activities and meaning and their attributes, through the use of qualitative methods.
Introduction
- Research problem
- Research objectives
- Research questions
- Research methodology
- Organization of the Thesis
The importance of this study goes beyond finding the characteristics of the physical element of place identity. Investigation of the meaning of place and sense of place and the relationship with place Identity.
Literature review
Introduction
Therefore, this chapter explores concepts and theories of place and the perception of place as well as how it contributes to the formation of place identity.
The concept of place
- Space and place
- The Sense of Place
- Criteria for defining place
The sense of place triggered a dramatic increase in the discussion of place in literature (Sime, 1986). The concept of place often highlights the importance of sense of belonging and emotional attachment.
The concept of identity
- Identity and territory
The variations of the quality and type of perception contribute to the differentiations of concepts related to place. Territory is a space where people live who share common characteristics, and it is characterized by memory and the perspective of the future, giving it geographical and symbolic boundaries (Silva 1992).
Place Identity
A place's identity consists of three interrelated components, each irreducible to the others - physical features or appearance, observable activities and functions, and meanings or symbols'. They argue that questions related to the concept of identity today cannot rely only on local characteristics, which leads us to the importance of the perception of place identity as a factor in its improvement.
The perception of place identity
The different definitions related to the concept of place identity reflect many components that go into it and the many possibilities of combining them. In an increasingly complex society, there exist overlapping definitions of place identity - again both individual and collective.
Place identity components
The next section will discuss the three different components of place identity as well as the characteristics that contribute to the formation of each component. The physical form of place is one of the most important components that influence place identity, and it does so in several ways. Places that are restorative in this sense also tend to maximize opportunities for self-regulation and evoke a strong sense of place identity.
Place identities within the sense of place are the creation of the area as a whole, rather than any specific part or element. A sense of place does not exist in any particular part, but in the combination of those parts into the greater whole. In short, the meanings and symbols associated with place play a major role in the experience of place and especially in place identity.
Conclusion
Therefore, continuity with past places plays an important role in ensuring the psychological well-being of the individual as it affects the development and maintenance of self and group identity (Dixon and Durrheim, 2004). Place identity as a whole represents how an individual's sense of themselves is created, in part, through their transactions with physical environments. The study focused on attributes that can enhance the relationship between physical environments and activity, and how they influence the individual's sense of place.
Lynch (1960) linked the physical attributes of place to both cognition and image, which is the identification of self and place. This distinctiveness suggests that the local features of the built and natural environment create the character of a physical identity and provide continuity of place identity. The next chapter discusses the development of a conceptual framework that will facilitate the determination of the place identity components and attributes within the local case study.
Research methodology
- Introduction
- Research Design
- Area Selection and study
- Conceptual framework
- Research Instruments
- Analytical framework
- Conclusion
According to Sarson (1974), sense of community is defined as "the perception of equality with others, a recognized interdependence with others, a willingness to maintain this interdependence by giving to or doing for others what is expected of them, the feeling of, that one is part of a larger reliable and stable structure". Korpela (1989) asserts this concept 'the continuity of self-experience is also maintained by fixing aids to memory in the environment. What attracts you most about this place?" and “Is there any element that for some reason gives you momentary meaning?” The following questions aimed to highlight the concept of distinctiveness, e.g.
In addition, the framework aims to quantify components and attributes of place identity to bring about a better understanding of the place experience. The development of the conceptual framework was based on place identity theory and the perception of the sense of place, discussed in the chapter on the theoretical framework. Therefore, the analytical framework was developed to analyze the data findings of the in-depth interviews.
Research Results and Analysis
Introduction
However, it is possible to make a general comment that may be relevant to the wider context of urban planning and design. The findings are discussed according to the research objectives and key themes, focusing on exploring the meanings of place in relation to place identity, and understanding the factors, elements and themes related to place identity.
Questionnaire Results
The first question was about the frequency of their visits to AlBalad, of which 82.1% indicated that they visit once a year and 16% of respondents visit once a month, while the remaining 1.8% visit more frequently. In terms of safety, 75.5% expressed that they feel safe walking in AlBalad, a surprising number since most of the questionnaire respondents are women, as seen in Figure 12 below. In comparison, the second part of the questionnaire, which examines respondents' current neighborhoods, includes more than 20 different neighborhoods in terms of their level and reason for attachment.
When asked what attracted them most to their current neighborhood (Figure 14), 74% stated that location is the most important attractive feature. The following question examines respondents' affiliation with their current neighborhoods, 73.3% said they are affiliated while 25.7% stated they were not affiliated. On the other hand, when reflecting on the place experience of their current neighborhood, respondents indicate that location is key.
In-depth interviews results
- Social ties
- Significance
- Continuity
The table shows that symbolic importance is the highest measured theme within place identity followed by distinctiveness of physical settings. The most physical element mentioned when discussing legibility were the paths and the organic and natural growth of the circle structure. The spirit of AlBalad is in the essence of the kind man, the past man, it is in the sense of community and social ties the concept of the neighbor” MBE.
One respondent identified his sense of belonging to a place with the particular mix of people that AlBalad encompasses. The social factor, the community factor, the respect factor for the elderly and the young is also missing. The next part of this chapter will discuss the results and implications of the findings within the theoretical framework.
Discussion
These values mentioned above were missing when respondents compared them with their own neighborhood experience. In terms of legibility and picturesqueness, the respondents described their wayfinding experience in a positive light. Some respondents felt that they must be part of the elements that stand the test of time, and this feeling is tied to their feelings of belonging and pride, which contributes to their perception of their own identity.
The respondents stated that AlBald's urban structure and the clustering of the neighborhoods as well as the building style promoted social interaction and bonding between people. All respondents expressed a sense of loss regarding all components of place identity. In terms of human activities and social ties, respondents expressed the loss of the concept of neighborhood and sense of community they used to have.
Implication of the findings
The literature suggests that the value of the perceptual dimension of urban design lies in the emphasis placed on people and how they perceive and value their physical environments (Camerona 2010). Moreover, they also provide the sense of psychological connectedness that is vital to the fulfillment of basic human needs. This sense of rootedness was confirmed to be absent in both analyzes of data collection methods, which confirmed that most respondents felt emotionally and psychologically detached from their current homes.
The study confirms that the respondents' interaction with their countries occurs in three dimensions, cognitive, behavioral and emotional. It was found that physical environments have a high impact on the quality of place and the sensory experience of that place, as it contains human activity. The above finding implies that the quality and distinctiveness of physical environments shape the experience of place, while the meanings attached to place define its identity.
Conclusion
To begin with, the respondents expressed that the buildings attracted them the most about AlBalad for mostly site-seeing purposes, as well as the activities provided within the context of AlBalad, these include the festivals and shopping at the local shops. In addition, the questionnaire highlighted that the respondents expressed the importance of preserving the Historic area, as it is a local heritage and a representation of the past, as well as a continuity of identity. The questionnaire results also highlighted that the respondents were mostly attracted to the location of their neighborhoods, half of which contradicted their statement by their willingness to move to another neighborhood if given the chance.
The respondents reasoned that the lack of appropriate physical environments such as open public spaces, distinctive architecture and services, as well as social ties, were missing from what they found. The questionnaire highlighted that the most distinctive element that attracted the respondents to AlBalad was the architectural style of the buildings and the festivities and activities within its built environment. The respondents highlighted that the architectural style and human scale influence the meanings and values people attach to place, as well as the type and level of activities that take place within AlBalad.
Research Conclusions, Findings and Future Research
- Introduction
- Research questions and findings
- Methodology
- The main findings
- Implications of findings
- Theoretical Contribution
- Planning Practice Contribution
- Practical Contribution
- Research Limitations
- Future Research
In that light, the relationship between the intersected components of place identity within AlBalad was examined. Continuity of place identity depends on the preservation and growth of the physical, social and psychological dimensions of the human experience without breaking the link with their past. Building on that, the study also found that meanings rank highest in terms of perception of place identity.
A review of the literature on sense of place and place identity provides theories of place and links between the physical dimension and the perceptual dimension of the use of urban space. The use of public spaces and the creation of the sense of place of its inhabitants in Barcelona. City signs in urban design. 2011), Townscape Revisited: Revealing the Character of the Historic Townscape in Malaysia.
