Feelings About Place

Heritage shapes our connection to places

People form deep emotional connections with the places they live, work, and visit – a bond known as 'place attachment'. This sense of connection can boost wellbeing, strengthen resilience in tough times, and create a feeling of belonging within communities.

Historic places have a unique power to shape these attachments. Studies have shown that people often feel a stronger sense of attachment to historic areas compared to modern ones. This connection can come from personal memories, an appreciation of the area's character, or simply from knowing its history. 

Heritage impacts how we experience places and engage with people

Our overall satisfaction with a place is influenced by many factors, including design, practicality, and emotional connection.

Studies suggest that visually appealing environments can boost happiness and overall life satisfaction. Historic areas often include design features that contribute a sense of identity and make places feel more engaging, distinctive and easier to navigate.

Investment in heritage can also improve public perception of a place. In towns where historic areas have been restored, residents often report a greater sense of pride and appreciation for their surroundings. Research has shown that when people feel satisfied with where they live, they are more likely to feel connected to their community and engage with people around them.

Heritage fosters pride in place

Surveys consistently show that historic buildings and landmarks are among the top sources of local pride. When people understand the history of their area, they often develop a deeper sense of pride and connection to it.

But it’s not just the buildings that matter; it’s what happens in them. Community activities in historic spaces can strengthen a sense of belonging, turning heritage sites into vibrant hubs of local identity and pride.

Upkeep and design can impact our perception of safety

Neglected or derelict buildings can create a sense of social disorder, while well-maintained public spaces foster feelings of security and belonging.

Beyond aesthetics, the design of historic areas also plays a role in community wellbeing. Walkable streets, green spaces, and well-connected urban layouts encourage people to spend time outside, strengthening social ties and making public spaces feel safer and more vibrant.

Asking about attachment to places helps you understand how your organisation influences people’s emotional connection to the local area and its heritage.

You could ask questions that explore how local heritage, buildings, and public spaces shape people’s attachment to where they live. For example:

• Whether people feel connected to the historic environment around them
• If the appearance of buildings and public spaces contributes to a sense of community
• Whether specific local buildings or spaces are seen as special or significant
• How strongly people feel about their area, whether they could be happy living elsewhere, or how much they care about the area’s history
• Which aspects, such as landscape, history, traditions, or your organisation’s work, add to their sense of belonging

This feedback will show how your organisation plays a role in strengthening people’s emotional connection to their community and its heritage. It can help demonstrate the broader impact your site has in fostering a sense of place and local pride.

Asking about place satisfaction helps you understand how your organisation impacts people’s views on their local area and their quality of life.

You could ask questions that explore how local heritage and cultural offerings influence people’s perception of their community. For example:

• Whether arts and culture in the area enhance its reputation as a great place to live
• If local heritage sites and projects make the area more attractive to visitors
• Whether your event or visit has helped people see the area in a more positive light
• What factors, including heritage and cultural offerings, influenced their decision to move to the area
• Whether they feel that the heritage sites in the area make it a better place to live or visit
• How much they agree that the heritage of the area is well cared for

This feedback will help you demonstrate the role your organisation plays in enhancing the area’s appeal and satisfaction. It can show that local heritage and culture are not just valuable, but also integral to improving people’s lives and perceptions of the community.

Asking about pride in place helps you understand how your organisation fosters a sense of pride and connection to the local area.

You could ask questions that explore how people’s experiences with your organisation impact their feelings of ownership, pride, and appreciation for their community and heritage. For example:

• Whether people feel proud to live in the area
• If experiences with your organisation make them proud of the local heritage and culture
• Whether they feel a sense of ownership and pride in local places
• If they enjoy showing their local area to friends and visitors
• Whether they’re more likely to recommend the area after visiting or taking part in an event
• If they appreciate their local heritage and culture more after the experience

This feedback will show how your organisation helps strengthen local pride, making people feel more connected to the places they live and the heritage they share.

Asking about safety helps you understand how your organisation contributes to creating a safer and more welcoming environment.

You could ask people how your work helps improve their sense of safety in the area. For example:

• Whether people feel safe in the neighbourhood
• If your organisation’s work makes the area feel more welcoming and cared for
• Whether events and activities provided by your organisation make the neighbourhood feel safer

This feedback will highlight how heritage and cultural initiatives can play a vital role in improving community wellbeing, making people feel more secure and connected to their surroundings.