Reflections on Sense of Place: How Communities Feel About and Use the Landscape

The concept of sense of place has long been central to human geography, environmental psychology, landscape studies, and heritage discourse. Traditionally understood as the emotional, experiential, and symbolic meanings people attach to places, sense of place has evolved alongside changing interpretations of landscape and heritage. This paper revisits the concept of sense of place and critically examines its interaction with landscape and heritage frameworks. By tracing theoretical developments and exploring contemporary challenges—such as globalization, heritage commodification, and climate change—the paper argues that sense of place remains a vital integrative concept. It enables a deeper understanding of how landscapes and heritage sites are lived, remembered, contested, and managed. The paper concludes that recognizing the dynamic and relational nature of sense of place is essential for sustainable landscape planning and inclusive heritage practices.