The moderating effect of visual landscape and soundscape on place attachment in world cultural heritage: a case study in Kulangsu, China

A study on Kulangsu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveals that the interplay between soundscape and visual landscape significantly influences place attachment. Specifically, highly pleasant or minimally eventful soundscapes enhance the positive impact of visual satisfaction on emotional connection to the environment. Conversely, lower visual satisfaction intensifies the effect of an eventful soundscape on attachment. These findings suggest that both auditory and visual elements shape urban attachment differently, offering critical insights for sustainable city planning in culturally sensitive areas like World Heritage sites.

Yang, L., & Liu, J. (2025). The moderating effect of visual landscape and soundscape on place attachment in world cultural heritage: a case study in Kulangsu, China. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01589-y