Sense of Place and Landscape

This section was written for a grant some time ago and provies a foundation for our current research agenda. This should be viewed as a preliminary discussions and far from final.

Sense of Place

A sense of place is caught up in a landscape, be it natural or urban. Place has the ability to bring an emotional response from an individual. Sense of place is linked to meaning and permanence (McLean & Jensen, 2004a). The meanings of sense of place are multiple and dependent upon the researcher and discipline. Cheng, et al. (2003) state “Places have a way of claiming people. When they claim very diverse kinds of people, then those people must eventually learn to live with each other; they must learn to inhabit their place together . . .” (p. 119). Jackson (1994) argues that, “we recognize that certain localities have an attraction which gives us a certain indefinable sense of well-being and which we want to return to, time and again. (pp. 157–158) MacDonald (2002), speaking of the Brooklyn Parkways suggest, “They stand out as exceptional public spaces within an otherwise undistinguished urban street fabric because of the forest of trees they contain along their combined eight-mile length and the continuous open-space amenities they provide for the neighbourhoods they pass through” (p. 117).

Sense of place is a binding agent for community members. While each see place differently, there remains a commonality that cements community cohesion. Vaux and Olmsted saw the value of parkways and linked them to the evolution of community (Brooklyn Park Commission, 1868, pp 178-198) (as reported in MacDonald, 2002). Jiven & Larkin (2003) report, “Group identity is thus closely linked with the form and history of place, creating a sense of place or genius loci. . .” (p. 69).

Link to Landscape Preference

The urban forest is a landscape. Landscape preferences have long been studied by landscape architects and urban planners. Landscape preference is inexorably linked to sense of place and place meaning whether it be in an urban or natural environment. The principles and especially research methodology applied in one can be adapted to fit the other. Environmental researchers, however, have been less than enthusiastic about making the leap from the natural environment to the urban environment. There are some notable exceptions (Norwegians here).

Jackson (1980, p. 16) and reported in Stokowski (2002) stated, “This is how we should think of landscapes: not merely how they look, how they conform to an esthetic ideal, but how they satisfy elemental needs.… A landscape should establish bonds between people, the bond of language, of manners, of … work and leisure, and above all a landscape should contain the kind of spatial organizations which foster such experiences and relationships…. “Dakin (2003) states, “People are not mere viewers of landscape: they participate in a way that influences their understanding” (p. 190).

History of Measures

What we really don’t understand is how the urban forest contributes to an urban resident’s sense of place. Urban areas have been managed largely in their ability to contribute to the economic well-being of the community. In many cases the economic well-being did not take into account biophysical well-being, environmental well-being, or community social well-being. If none of these were taken into account it is only a short leap to suggest that the urban forest received no greater consideration. Williams and Stewart (1998) believe, “that by putting the human bond with nature in the foreground, rather than treating it as an interesting but insignificant feature of the background for . . . planning, managers can begin to give the relationship between people and the land the careful, systematic attention it requires and deserves” (p. 22).

The preponderance of research on sense of place has been empirical. Shanahan, et al. (1999) argue, “a fundamental univariate approach to measuring . . . may not suffice to describe the complexity of . . . belief” (p. 406). The move towards more qualitative approaches to the measurement perception and belief has been growing over the last 20 years and especially in the last 10 years. The development of more refined qualitative approaches, and the linking of qualitative and empirical research methodologies have refined researchers abilities to measure Shanahan’s complexity of belief.

This research, then, will focus on (1) objective qualities of the urban forest, and simultaneously (2) the social construction of place as it relates to the urban forest. The last portion of Stokowski’s (2002) paper may state it best when she says, “‘Ah,’ … ‘my mountains!’ That sentiment is not unusual. We each have attachments to certain physical qualities of natural, historic and cultural places. But until we recognize that we can and do make ‘my mountains’ into ‘our mountains’ through shared language, stories, myths, images, and behavior, we will not enjoy scholarly or practical senses of place that sustain our quests to be more closely connected with each other and with all our desired environments” (p. 380-381).

Monuments and People

Last summer I had the opportunity to spend a few hours in London between flights and took the time to go to Hyde Park. While there I had my first, and so far only, experience with the Princess Diana Fountain. At the time I was unaware of the controversy surrounding the memorial. Instead, I found myself impressed with the design, nature, and use of the fountain.
I have visited many monuments over the years and there are several that stand out to me. There are many more that are lost in the milleau of time and experience. One of the common features of monuments is the desire to reinforce the importance of the individual and her or his contributions. Memorials to individuals such as Thomas Jefferson or Franklin D. Roosevelt are static, fixed in time and space, and range from small to large. Their importance is to provide recognition to the individual for contributions to society and to help secure their place in history. They are places for viewing, often supported with visitor centers, but not really places for people.

The simplicity of the Kennedy eternal flame is beautiful and its setting in Arlington National Cemetery creates a sense of reverence. In the few times I have been to this site I find other visitors in a quiet, contemplative mood.

The Iwo Jima Marine Corp monument has less of a sense of reverence or wonder. It stands at a busy intersection. When the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps plays on Thursday afternoons in the summer it draws its largest crowd, but to view the drum and bugle corp, not the monument. From a personal perspective, I gain a sense of sacrifice when I view it. That sacrifice comes not from the monument, but from the knowledge that my father was among the first wave of Marines at Iwo Jima. A monument, then, may have individual impact for some and none for others.

A sense of sacrifice is more prevalent at the Viet Nam Memorial. Yet, even this sense of sacrifice may be limited to one or two generations. The presence and design of the memorial will have an impact for generations, as has the Washington Monument, but will it become another part of a tourist checklist rather than a focus of a time that changed American for ever?

In the context of such types of experiences with monuments, I found myself greatly surprised as I discovered the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. My first impressions were of a temporary fence to control entrance to the site, of a ranger present to control actions at the monument, and of lots of people. I began to take photos and spent time walking the circumference of the memorial.

As I wandered around the fountain’s furthest point from the entrance I became aware of something I did not expect to see. I realized from my vantage point I was at the high point of the monument. I could see everyone else at the monument with almost no movement of my head. I had a panoramic view! Then I discovered I was the only single person present. Monuments located in parks frequently have single visitors, but that wasn’t apparent here. Rather there were groups of friends and families.

At a small bridge I saw a father place his camera on the grass, preset to shoot, and gather with his wife and children for a photo to commemorate their presence. Closer to the entrance I viewed groups of people composed of friends, families, and extended families. They seemed to be sitting on the walls of the monument watching the water flow by, or dangling their feet in the water. It was a cool, but sunny June day in London. On first observation one might conclude that it was groups of singles and couples, but on closer observation it became clear most groups were 3 or larger (mostly larger) and they were in no hurry to leave. As I continued to observe I saw considerable interaction occurring. People were drawn by the monument. It provided a sense of place for park visitors and for those who came specifically for the monument.

I saw the monument as a gathering place, as a place where people can enjoy themselves. I saw people taking time out of their lives to stop, visit, reflect, walk away from their daily requirements. It can and probably is also a place for individuals, but the short time I spent there was a time for families, friends, and groupings.

The BBC shared insights from the designer as well as provided a description of the site:

One side of the fountain will see water bubbling down a gentle slope, while the other stream will tumble and cascade before both paths flow into a tranquil pool.
Gustafson said the contrasting halves would reflect the different parts of the princess’s life – the joyous times but also the turmoil she experienced.
Gustafson said, “The concept is based upon the qualities of the Princess that were the most loved and cherished… inclusiveness and accessibility”
“The fountain also reflects parts of the Princess’s life – on one side the water bubbles and effervesces down a gentle slope, whereas on the other side it tumbles down, cascades, then ‘rocks and rolls’ from side to side in a joyous way, before turning over on itself, perhaps representing the turmoil in her life.
“Both sides finally flow into a tranquil, peaceful, calm pool.”

In a society where speed, power, individual focus, and a certain level of ruthlessness seem to be honored, it is nice to see a monument that focuses on the human side and invites individuals to return to a sense of humanity, a sense of eternal purpose, a focus on doing and giving rather than collecting and hoarding. The monument’s benefactors and landscape architect are to be congratulated for creating a monument that is so human and draws people to pause and reflect.

Additional sites related to the Memorial Fountain

The Royal Family
The Royal Parks

Thinking about the Urban Environment

There are many blogs focusing on the urban environment, more than a few focusing on the big picture, but there are few interested in either the impact of parks and recreation or of the urban forest. The interest is based on 30 plus years of research and observation. Brought to this is are ongoing publishing efforts focusing on planning, impact, benefits, and futures. At points discussions will be made linking the past to the future.

Definitions are important in any discussion and while they may not always be apparent, or worse, taken for granted, they should not be. Future discussions will focus on various definitions, impacts upon us as users and viewers.

In a sense, this site will be a journal for my readings, musings and research. Some of your feedback will be important. It will cause me to think in in directions I may not have intended. The site is not intended as a source of controversy. However, controversy, is typically designed from the perspective of the beholder and not of the writer.

So by now you may ask yourself, what is this all about and who is listening and writing? There are no easy answers and like many blogs this site will focus on multiple issues. Bear with me and share alike.