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Abstract

This bachelor thesis aims to explore the public´s personal connection and attachment to place, as well as their perception of changes in the built environment that has occurred in close proximity to the area. Based upon a questionnaire carried out in a public square in Gothenburg, namely Järntorget, the study examines the impact of the construction of two high-rise buildings that was initiated roughly five years ago adjacent to the square. The essays theoretical framework is based on the concept sense of place, a concept which derives from the discipline of Geography. Sense of place encompasses the relationship between people and spatial settings, which includes e.g. people’s experiences in a place and their emotional connection to the place. The questionnaire was designed to assess how the respondents attribute meaning and significance to Järntorget, as well as how high levels of development in the area can influence their emotional connection to the place. This questionnaire was complemented with an analysis of the environment impact assessment regarding the area the high development occurred, as well as dialogue with a conservationist of built heritage in Gothenburg. The overall result from the study reveals that the majority of the respondents felt an emotional connection to Järntorget, strongly embedded in their personal memories associated with the place. However, opinions were divided regarding whether the high development in the area had affected their connection to Järntorget. Roughly half of the respondents believed that the construction of the two high-rise buildings had somewhat influenced their connection to the place, whereas the other half felt that their connection remained unaffected. Most of the respondents considered the high development to have affected the overall character of the place, with many stating the impact to be aesthetic. The study highlights sense of place as a multifaceted concept and how people´s perception of changes in the built environment may vary. Furthermore the study´s results indicates that changes in the built environment can, however not always, influence people´s perception and use of place, irrespective of these effects being negative or positive.