Qualitative study uncovers diverse affective dynamics and a dual-axis framework in urban placemaking, highlighting governance and co-production as key drivers of community connection.
Key Points
To investigate how affect and emotional dynamics manifest during placemaking and determine the key drivers that support or impede a connective sense of place.
Conducted 30 narrative walking interviews with placemakers, local residents, and municipal officials.
Evaluated in situ spatial transformations across three urban placemaking initiatives in Rotterdam, Zoetermeer, and Vlaardingen.
Developed a four-part typology classifying placemaking affect as disruptive, dissociative, transmissive, or coalescent.
Constructed a two-dimensional axis model mapping affective experiences across connecting versus fragmenting and near versus distant poles.
Identified governance structures, spatial context, and relational dynamics as primary drivers, with co-production and sustained institutional support actively fostering connective bonds.