Incorporating place attachment in spatial planning : a literature review

Place attachment, usually referring to the emotional relationships between people and places, has been studied intensely by environmental psychologists and humanistic geographers for decades. Its influence on landscape planning and development has recently gained increasing attention. Place attachment can be a double-edged sword. It can be an obstacle hindering new developments. It can also be a resource, promoting and informing spatial planning and transformation processes and further enabling a higher level of sustainability. Despite numerous empirical studies highlighting the relevance of place attachment to spatial planning, it remains unclear how research on place attachment can be effectively incorporated into planning practices. This paper aims to review literature that incorporates place attachment into spatial planning and transformation. Directions for future research and potential implications for sustainable spatial transformation practices will also be discussed.