Place attachment through interaction with urban parks: A cross-cultural study

Globalization and mobile societies challenge large cities to provide not only basic services, such as water or housing, but also places where long-term residents (forced) migrants are able form bonds attribute meanings. The question of what types urban settings can foster place attachment through interaction has been poorly investigated. To address this research gap, a qualitative study was conducted in Iran investigate how (Persian) bi-cultural (Afghans who migrated stayed there for more than 5 yrs) with parks. Participants were given standardized round-trip Persian gardens modern park. Theory-guided, problem-centered interviews recorded analyzed directed content analysis. Considerable differences found among both groups terms people created attachments the different places. For user park enabled links via practical visual appreciation, social interactions, emotions garden structure. In contrast park, offered many opportunities link shared history, meanings memories. These three prominent drivers identity excellent means establish bond that place. Shared history meanings, however, rarely allowed become attached place; group, certain elements triggered memories them view origin relocation interconnected locations capable providing different, yet compatible experiences. As theory suggests, access helps reduce disruption moving new Our results help empirically test broaden current theories encourage city planners preserve develop parks satisfy ‘place dependency needs’ users.