How does place attachment theory affect new construction?



Place attachment theory is the emotional bond between person and place.


Many people form these in certain locations, such as the high school we went to, the bar we met our spouse, or the cinemas that our grandparents once took us. This can result in opinions of new construction and developments on these buildings.

Place identity, on the other hand, comes from beliefs, meanings, ideas and attitudes assigned to a place. For example, a place of worship, such as a mosque or church. This is not to be confused with place attachment theory.

A YouGov poll found that Londoners were split on whether ‘The Tulip’ skyscraper — which at the time of the survey was awaiting planning approval — would have a positive impact on the city’s skyline. Some 32% thought the skyline would change for the worse. Plans were rejected by Sadiq Khan in July 2019.

 While refurbishing an older building may be a respectful thing to do as it contributes to a greater part of the city or town’s history, when it comes to knocking down a building and redeveloping something from scratch, developers may find it harder to get planning permission.

Consequently, it’s worth doing some research into place attachment theory on a property before purchasing to find.



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