IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

As cities grapple with rapid urbanisation, climate change and widening inequalities, the design of public space is central to creating liveable, healthy and inclusive cities. Urban design guidance often promotes greenery and seating, yet relatively little is known about which physical characteristics of public places foster positive relationships between people and place. Place attachment (the cognitive and emotional bonds formed between people and places) contributes to improved community relations, can support pro-environmental behaviour, and is linked to outcomes such as belonging, meaningfulness and psychological restoration. This paper reports findings from environmental psychology research on how urban public places in London support place attachment. Drawing on affordance theory, the study tests a model linking physical environment characteristics (spatial design attributes, built features, naturalness, views, the presence of other people), the everyday experiences they afford (e.g. informal social contact, physical activity, relaxation) and place attachment. An online survey of adult London residents (N = 384) used newly developed items and established psychological measures; partial least squares structural equation modelling analysed the data. Results show that nature, spatial definition, the presence of people and views predict afforded experiences, while environmental stressors undermine them. Afforded experiences, views and built features like seating and points of focus significantly predict place attachment, demonstrating how specific design decisions in public spaces can support positive place relationships.
The paper offers an empirically grounded framework linking physical environment characteristics to psychological outcomes, providing guidance for practitioners seeking to create public spaces that enable place attachment and support liveable cities.