Influence of green space on place attachment in urban areas: perspective from a rapidly growing medium-size town of India

Several research studies have highlighted the benefits of urban green space to urbanites, however, understanding of human-nature interaction through psychological and cognitive attachment of city dwellers to their surrounding green spaces is a new verge of study under place attachment research. In present study, an empirical assessment of resident's place attachment towards green spaces is conducted in a rapidly growing medium-size town of India. For this, a modified place attachment model consisting eight dimensions namely, green space quality, connectedness to nature, place identity, sense of place, place dependence, well-beingness, social relation and kith-kin relation is taken for statistical analysis to ascertain level of place attachment in relation to attributes. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire survey and personal interview in three neighbourhoods viz. built-up eco space or nearby natural area, busy built-up and urban-rural peripheral areas under Bardhaman Planning Area, India. A mixed-method research technique has been applied for comprehensive study. Narratives are used as qualitative technique while quantitative data are subjected to Exploratory Factor Analysis to examine the underlying place attachments. Confirmatory Factor Analysis has been performed to confer the outcomes of place attachment. Narrative analysis shows the deeper urge for green space in the busy built-up and eloquent expression of mental satisfaction for the eco-space area. Factor loadings of green space quality, connectedness to nature, well-beingness and social relation are markedly high for built-up eco space than the busy built-up areas. Similarly, CFA shows clear distinction of respondents between busy built-up and built-up eco space. Thus, green space in a city can create a different image from conventional city space. Hence, acknowledging human's urban future, influence of green spaces towards creation of place attachment is by far a necessary synthesis in present day sustainability research.