Uzzell, D., E. Pol & D. Badenas, 2002, Place identification, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability, in: Environment and Behavior, 34, 5
- Author : Uzzell, D., E. Pol & D. Badenas
- Year : 2002
- Journal/Series : Environment and Behavior
- Volume Number (ANNUAL: Counting Volumes of the Year shown above) : 5
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 34
- Pages : 26-53
- Contents in English : In this article the roles of social cohesion, residential satisfaction, and place identification are examined for their effect on place-related social identity and its consequential impact on attitudes to environmental sustainability. It has been realized in recent years that we will only achieve a sustainable environment if we lead sustainable lives. All aspects of our lives – health, consumerism, housing, safety and security, and the quality of life generally have to be rethought in the light of sustainability; environmental sustainability has to go hand in hand with social and economic sustainability. Sustainability is neither a vision nor an unalterable state but a creative and local process of searching for balance that spreads into all areas of urban management and decision making. As every city is different each city must find its own way toward sustainability. Place with a strong identity help to enhance community awareness and bonding. In this sense, social cohesion contributes to place identity. At the same time, places with a strong identity make social cohesion easier. From this it is hypothesized that socially communities that have a strong sense of social place identity will be more supportive of environmentally sustainable attitudes and behaviours compared with those communities in with cohesiveness and social place identities are weaker. There is thus an important link between sustainability and social life.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: sense of place, place identification, social cohesion, sustainability, place, place identity, residential satisfaction.