Presenting the sense of place model of public spaces in the era of virtual spaces with Grounded theory (case study: public space in the center of Rasht city)

Among many theories regarding the relationship between space and humans, the concept of sense of place is the most widely used theory to explain the existence of place. From the environmental psychology perspective, humans need specific sensory, emotional, and spiritual experiences of the environment in which they are. These needs can be met through intimate interaction and identification with the place where they attend. This interaction, which is called the sense of place, is an important factor in the harmony between the human and the environment and leads to better use of the environment, the users' satisfaction with the environment, and ultimately, a sense of belonging, continuity of presence and use, and increased quality of life. The sense of place physically and psychologically leads to the connection between an individual and the place and enhances his attachment to the place. Although the topic of sense of place is not new, the need to pay attention to it from new angles has been emphasized in recent years. The creation of new social spaces and its expansion has had an impact on human social life. contemporary man can experience a space in which he has never been physically present. Therefore, it seems that the emergence of the digital age and the increasing number of users of virtual spaces can affect the concept of "sense of place". The present study aims to analyze the sense of place in public spaces in the age of virtual media and present a theoretical model to help improve citizens' sense of place in public spaces. There are two main research questions:1. What are the most important factors affecting the sense of place in real and virtual public spaces? and 2. How was the sense of place of the users of the public space in the center of Rasht city, and how has it changed in the last decade? To answer the first question, Sandelowski and Barroso's Meta-Synthesis Method and CASP checklists are used. To answer the second research question, the Grounded Theory method is used. In this part of the research, the main assumption states that the sense of place of the users of the public space in the center of Rasht City seems to have changed in the last decade. Because, it has experienced extensive physical changes (due to regeneration in 2016) on the one hand, and the spread of virtual media has affected all aspects of urban life, from employment to social interactions, on the other hand. In the open coding phase of the grounded theory method, 537 codes were extracted from 15 detailed interviews with experts and professionals in the research field, and finally, 18 categories were identified. The results of this stage include the formation of basic concepts and the resulting codes. Also, on a scale higher than the codes, an attempt was made to identify a more abstract concept to place them in categories representing the characteristics of the codes by comparing the codes with each other. The research results show that the expansion of virtual spaces has been effective in changing the sense of place of citizens in objective social spaces. This effect is observed in all three dimensions of activity, body, and meaning in urban spaces and it occurs in the form of the human scale, meaning, body, performance, environment, art and beauty, and non-physical and physical components. The public space in the center of Rasht City has witnessed more invitations and pauses and the emergence of new behaviors in the last decade. Categories such as acceptance of others, identity, hangout, etc. are the causes and consequences of this issue. Also, the spread of virtual media influences the interaction between humans and space, and thereby, the sense of place in a geographical place. So, by regarding it as the core category in grounded theory, the sense of place can show the relationships between categories and concepts. Using modern technologies in public spaces, designing a particular route for using mobile phones while walking, establishing urban furniture in the right number, with the right design, and in the right place, designing and implementing 24-hour lighting, supporting the presence of itinerant artists, and properly planning the climate comfort of pedestrians are among the research suggestions.