To feel at home and to find your place identity in a completely different setting than you are used too requires a whole new type of coping with changes. In order to cope, there are different aspects that can help you. Either it be your personality, the physical surroundings or the people that you have by your side. This thesis has had the aim of examining how and why refugees feel at home in the city of Umeå, Sweden. What has been clear is that the interviewed refugees do feel at home in Umeå, this mostly because of social activities with friends and family, not as much because of the physical attributes Umeå has as a city. Place identity, seen from different theoretical perspectives, has been clear in that identity is mostly created in harmony with a place and what the place has to offer socially and not always due to the physical attraction of the place, which has been visible in discussion with the refugees in the study. Instead, place identity for the interviewed individuals has been created through the conceptions, interpretations, ideas and related feelings the individuals have to Umeå.

In an increasingly globalized world, emphasis on attracting investment, talent and tourists has resulted in similar iconic urban landscapes in cities. This has increased concerns on the reduction or complete loss of local identity along urban waterfronts. This study aimed to develop a set of design guidelines that contribute to the establishment of local identity on urban waterfronts. The research focused on the history and current status of urban waterfront development, globalization impacts on urban landscape, notions of place identity and place making. It defined local identity as one type of place identity and explored the key aspects that foster local identity in waterfront development. A case study was conducted by analyzing these key aspects in a successful waterfront development. From a synthesis of the findings, a set of design guidelines was developed and then tested on an unsuccessful project; recommendations for future improvement were based on the developed guidelines.

This thesis examines how changes to rural places and landscapes are experienced by residents and incorporated into place attachments and identities over time. It does so through exploring findings from seventy-eight qualitative, ‘emplaced’, oral history interviews in three English villages: Mullion (Cornwall); Askam and Ireleth (Cumbria); and Martham (Norfolk). These villages are located near to at least one existing windfarm, which – as an example of rural change - provides a common focus for the research. The research is informed by a ‘middle-ground’ theoretical approach that considers discursive and experiential aspects of people-environment relationships and pays particular attention to how engagements with the past are enrolled in shaping experiences of landscape, place and change. Attitudes towards rural place-change are identified as being shaped by four complex, relational facets, viz: i) discursive interpretations of rural place, (post)nature and temporality; ii) experiential factors; iii) assessments of utility; and iv) local contexts. The thesis draws these together into a conceptual framework that helps guide analyses of place-change experiences. The framework’s value is demonstrated through applying it to the example of windfarms. The results reveal perceptions to be complex and multifarious but suggest that changes can be incorporated into place attachments and identities so long as highly-valued place assets are not harmed. The research makes a valuable contribution to geography by enhancing understandings about everyday rural lives and experiences; and revealing parallels between academic and lay discourses about landscape, ‘nature’ and place-temporality. It also adds to the considerable literature on perceptions of renewable energy by providing insights into attitudes towards windfarms at the post-construction, rather than proposal, stage.

This thesis is about the now vanished mining village Dennewitz. The focus of the paper is to examine the memories that previous residents have from the village. This has been done with the help of three semi-structured interviews. Previous descriptions from Dennewitz have also been used to broader the empirical evidence. The result has then been analyzed using the thesis theoretical frame of reference place identity. Several interesting aspects of the resident’s memories have been discovered. The inhabitants have a positive image of their years in Dennewitz. The place is described as an idyll for several of the inhabitants. Similar narratives about the place have been found with the residents. A common theme from the place that has been highlighted is a sense of community among the residents. The village was strongly influenced by the power relationship with the mine and the mining company. Both in negative and positive aspects. The inhabitants feel a sorrow about the fact that Dennewitz no longer exists. It has also been found that there is a strong connection between Malmberget and Dennewitz among interviewees. They see similarities with Dennewitz and the current situation in Malmberget.

The purpose of this ethnographic case study was to explore the construction and alteration of Roanoke Virginia's cultural imaginary, as well as the engagement of marginal groups and their concerns in those processes. This research examined these issues through the experiences of key actors involved with the creation of Roanoke's first city-wide arts and cultural plan and the creation and growth of the Roanoke-based Marginal Arts Festival (MAF). Cities around the globe are increasingly engaged in transnational projects of place identification, reconfiguration, and attraction: attracting capital, residents, workers, tourists and attention (Cronin & Hetherington, 2008; Hague, 2005; Jensen, 2005, 2007; Pine & Gilmore, 1999; Zukin 1995). Moreover, cities undertake various kinds of identity projects: on-going, dynamic processes through which spaces are produced and reproduced by conscious strategies of place making and identity building (Nyseth & Viken, 2009). Such initiatives are concerted efforts to establish or extend a particular idea, or imaginary, of a city. This study focused on one kind of urban identity endeavor that has become widespread during the past two decades: the effort to shape and market a creative, culture-rich place, to project a specific urban cultural imaginary. This analysis also responded to a straightforward problem, that of the manner through which people, in places pursuing arts and culture as a primary focus for development, come to terms with differing understandings of art and its role in development. This study identified four principal future paths for the analysis of cultural imaginaries and the practice of cultural development: studying and supporting civic tinkering activities, recognizing the relevance of localized imaginaries and urban identity projects, valuing full participation in the project of the city, and conducting place-specific and critical analyses. / Ph. D.

No description available.

Previously, social movement theory has focused on constructs of identity, such as race/ethnicity, gender and sexual preference, for collective identity construction. Prochansky (1983:59) introduces the concept of place identity, situating it along with the other components of identity, such as the ones mentioned above. In addition, literature on Appalachia has shown land to be an important construct of Appalachian peoples identity. This paper analyzes, through content analysis, the collective identities of writers who wrote letters to the U.S. Forest Service in opposition to a proposed AEP power line. This power line was to run through lands in Appalachia, such as various private properties, the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests, and across the New River. Collective identities based on place-identity, specifically including land, were the main target of analysis, due to the importance of land for Appalachian people. This analysis suggests that land, as a type of place identity, does serve as a basis for collective identity. / Master of Science

På grund av globaliseringen har konkurrensen mellan städer på senare tid ökat. Platser kan differentiera sig genom att arbeta med uppmärksamhet, inflytande, marknader, företag och evenemang. Detta medför att platsernas roll har förändrats där det riktas ett rampljus mot konstruktionen av platsvarumärke. Politiska dimensioner och platsens intressenter har betydande roller för ett starkt närvarande platsvarumärket. Genom att undersöka de tre begreppen; platsidentitet, platskultur och platsbild kan komplexiteten i konstruktionen av platsvarumärke tydliggöras. En fallstudie tillämpas för att studera platsvarumärke. Detta fall består av platsen Rosenlund i Göteborg där avgränsningen är projektet “Ett Blomstrande Rosenlund”. För att synliggöra konstruktionen av platsvarumärke tillämpas en identitets-baserad platsvarumärkes modell. Denna modell erbjuder ett sätt att se på platsidentitet som en dynamisk process. Med hjälp av modellen ges ett försök till att se hur de politiska dimensionerna, platsens intressenter samspelar med platsidentiteten, platskulturen och platsbilden. Empirin och analysen visar fragment av den komplexitet som råder i omformningen av ett platsvarumärke. Slutresultatet visar att det fanns en politisk närvaro under hela omvandlingprocessen. Här ser vi även en skiftning av de interna intressenternas inflytande på platsidentiteten. Omvandlingsarbetet visar tydliga tendenser att platsidentitet är en dynamisk process. Dock uppdagas det förutsatta och oförutsedda effekter som konstant influerar platsvarumärket. Här kan praktiken utnyttja erfarenheter och forskning i samband med omvandling av platsidentitet, varpå forma ett effektivare platsvarumärke. / The effect of globalization has tightened the competition between cities. Places are able to differentiate from another through attention, influence, markets, businesses and events. This affects the role of places and stresses the importance of place branding. Political dimensions and stakeholders are critical factors in the construction of place brand. Place identity, place culture and place image are the three elements of place branding which can unravel the complexity of the construction. Case studies are used to assess the complexity of a place. Whereas this case comprises the location Rosenlund in Gothenburg where the project “Ett Blomstrande Rosenlund” is the demarcation of this research. An identity-based model for place branding is used as an analyze tool to visualize how the elements and factors influence each other. This model presents place identity as a dynamic process. The empirical analysis shows fragments of the complexity that exists in the transformation of a place brand. As a conclusion a political presence throughout the transformation process is detected. As well as a shift of influence of the place identity between the internal stakeholders are discovered. The process shows a tendency of place identity as a dynamic process. In the transformation process there are presupposed and unforeseen effects that constantly influences the place brand. Experiences and research within the field of place identity can be used in practise, whereas to create a more effective place brand.The thesis is presented in Swedish.

Submitted by Geyciane Santos (geyciane_thamires@hotmail.com) on 2015-05-20T14:42:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Eliana Rodrigues Tiago.pdf: 2112972 bytes, checksum: d836184b4807c4cb3cc29ba3767589d4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-20T14:42:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Eliana Rodrigues Tiago.pdf: 2112972 bytes, checksum: d836184b4807c4cb3cc29ba3767589d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-12 / FAPEAM - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / Place Identity is based on our experiences throughout life in certain contexts or environments, which somehow had meaning in our existence and contributed to our composition as psychological beings. The house has not only physical meaning such as shelter and dwelling, but also emotional and affective meanings which are historically constructed by the residents in their social relations. This way, there's close relationship between cultural, social, economic and psychological aspects in the formation of identity of place. This study aimed to investigate the meanings and identity of place and their implications in shaping the social identity of the inhabitants of houseboats in the city of Coari-AM. The research of qualitative descriptive exploratory approach included a multi methods approach to better understand the environmental relations of the floating dwelling. The techniques adopted were: a) documental research along governmental bodies to obtain data on the housing and its occupants; b) participant observation along with , photographs and spontaneous interviews with old residents and c) semi-structured interviews with 30 residents (25W, 5 M) aged 18 years or over resident for at least six months at the place. The results showed that the people who live on a floating house embody in their own history the cultural experiences from the amazon environment, that is, its geophysical environment e the cultural practices in that relation, including the joy and the suffering as time passes by. The cultural waves signalised the city bay as the only possible housing in town. Living in a floating house in the city bay is far away from being a fancy environment. Living at the river surface is to foresee either the physical and social difficulties. Living over the waters is to float while they hope to be recognised as citizens. On this territory, the occupant is not recognised by the others, such as city administrators, as they live in a non-existing territory, they have no streets, no land, not even an address. The residents believe that due to living on this place, the city does not give them opportunities. Their invisibility is so evident that over them are thrown the city leftovers. Living in this place is to be socially invisible and to have always to fight to be recognised as citizen with all the needs regarding their social economic conditions, even with the consolation of being privileged to see the horizon on the river. / A identidade de lugar é formada por nossas experiências ao longo da vida em determinados contextos espaciais ou ambientais que, de alguma forma, marcaram ou marcam nossa existência e contribuem para a constituição como sujeitos psicológicos. Os significados físicos como abrigo e defesa são atribuídos à moradia, mas além desses, a moradia é concebida como categoria analítica e apresenta aspectos subjetivos devido aos significados emocionais e afetivos atribuídos pelos seus ocupantes. Desta forma, há estreita relação entre os aspectos espaciais, culturais, sociais, econômicos e os aspectos psicológicos na formação da identidade de lugar. Este estudo teve o objetivo de investigar os significados e identidade de lugar e suas implicações na formação da identidade social dos moradores de casas flutuantes na cidade de Coari-AM. A pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa exploratória descritiva incluiu a proposta de multimétodos para melhor compreender as relações socioambientais da moradia flutuante. Como técnicas foram adotadas: a) pesquisa documental junto aos órgãos públicos municipais para obtenção de dados oficiais sobre as moradias e seus ocupantes; b) observação participante com registros em diário de campo e fotográfico e entrevistas espontâneas com moradores antigos; e c) entrevistas semiestruturadas com 30 moradores (25F, 5M) com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos que residentes há mais de um seis meses no local. Os resultados obtidos apontaram que o sujeito morador de casa flutuante incorpora na sua própria história as vivências culturais do ambiente amazônico como também as mazelas sociais a que são submetidas ao longo do tempo. As ondas culturais sinalizavam a orla da cidade como única moradia possível na cidade. Morar em casa flutuante na orla da cidade está longe de ser um ambiente de glamour. Viver sobre as águas às margens da cidade é ter sempre à vista as dificuldades de posse, de mobilidade e de inclusão social. Viver sobre as águas é boiar na espera de um reconhecimento de cidadania. Neste território, o seu ocupante não é reconhecido pelos demais habitantes da cidade e pelos gestores públicos, pois lá não tem terreno, não tem rua, as casas não têm endereço. Os moradores acreditam que, por morarem nesse lugar, a cidade não lhes oferece possibilidades e sobre eles são jogados os restos da cidade. Morar neste lugar é viver o estigma da invisibilidade social e ter que lutar sempre para ser reconhecido como cidadão urbano com todas as carências próprias de sua condição socioeconômica, mesmo com o consolo de se sentir privilegiado em poder vislumbrar o mais lindo horizonte do rio.

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Brent Chamberlain / Landmarks are universal components of human urbanization. We are a species driven to mark the land with symbolic structures and craft meaning in our built environments. From ancient wonders such as Stonehenge to modern icons like the St. Louis Arch, we have been designing landmarks since the dawn of civilization. Cities, towns, and neighborhoods incorporate landmarks as elements of cultural expression and tools for navigation. Individuals use landmarks as reference points to create an internal cognitive map, permitting more efficient navigation throughout a city and contributing to a heightened sense of place. To aid in research regarding the role of landmarks on cognitive maps and place-identity, we have designed a novel testing paradigm in which subjects wear a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) and traverse a hypothetical urban environment using a gaming controller. The virtual environment (VE) features a gridded street network measuring 5x5 blocks and guides subjects along a fixed route through residential, park, commercial and industrial districts. Along this fixed route, subjects are exposed to ten distinct landmarks. After navigating the VE, subjects are tasked with delineating their perceived route, landmark locations, and district boundaries through map drawing tasks on grid paper as well as a scene recognition task. The most significant finding revealed landmark configuration accuracy to be highly correlated with performance on the route recall and moderately correlated with performance on the scene recognition task. This suggests that, regardless of the landmark type, individuals who more precisely recalled landmark locations also navigated the route and identified scenes more accurately. Landscape and urban planners can leverage these findings to advocate for the strategic inclusion of landmarks throughout an urban fabric, which we term Landmark Configuration Plans (LCP).