Identifying determinant factors of place attachment in the coastal city of Bandar-Anzali

The intricate relationship between individuals and their surroundings is a dynamic interplay of positive and negative factors that either foster or hinder attachment to a place. This study delves into the multifaceted nature of place attachment in the coastal city of Bandar-Anzali, seeking to establish a nuanced understanding of the factors at play.

Theoretical Framework:

The concept of "place" extends beyond physical spaces to encompass the meaningful connections people form through experiences and ideas. While spatial identity, attachment, and dependence are frequently discussed, there lacks a comprehensive exploration of the myriad factors influencing them across diverse places and geographical scales. This research bridges this gap by creating an extensive list of factors affecting place attachment.

Employing a qualitative-quantitative combined approach, this study utilized thematic analysis to scrutinize interview texts. The sample size, determined by theoretical saturation, involved 89 interviews conducted through purposive sampling. Participants were asked to provide photos of places to which they felt attached, forming the basis for individual in-depth interviews. Four key questions explored the detailed description of the place, the reasons for attachment, motivations for returning or not, and factors strengthening or weakening attachment. Thematic analysis was independently conducted by researchers, resulting in 23 positive and 7 negative factors.

The research identified 23 positive factors, including memories, similarity, positive feelings, security, balance of city and nature, connection with nature, sensory richness, and aesthetic considerations. Negative factors encompassed environmental damage, economic stagnation, inefficiency of urban management, loneliness, societal ignorance, neglect of cultural activities, and negative emotions. Recreational spaces, homes, neighborhoods, commercial places, object spaces, cultural-educational-administrative uses, and social places emerged as the most frequented locations. Aesthetic factors, memories, and positive emotions wielded the most positive influence, while inefficiency of urban management, negative emotions, and economic stagnation exerted the strongest negative impact on place attachment.

This research identifies key factors influencing attachment to a place. Aesthetic elements, memories, and positive emotions positively impact attachment, while urban mismanagement, negative emotions, and economic stagnation have a negative influence. Recreational spaces, homes, and neighborhoods are the most frequented places. Aesthetic considerations are particularly emphasized in images of recreational and commercial spaces. Social places highlight memories, positive emotions, aesthetics, and age as significant factors. The inefficiency of urban management is evident in images from urban neighborhoods, while symbols of Bandar Anzali city dominate urban space photos. Ambient spaces, such as multi-story houses and seaside paths, are the most common settings, with aesthetics holding the highest frequency in environmental spaces. Despite increasing interest in place attachment, the study reveals a need for further exploration of these factors. This research serves as a foundational step for future investigations in this area.