Residents’ Sense of the Place in the Central Part of Kaunas City in Relation to Tangible Cultural Heritage

Residents of Kaunas, Lithuania, exhibit a strong sense of place tied to tangible cultural heritage, particularly modernist architecture, which significantly influences their urban identity and attachment. This study reveals that demographic and sociocultural factors—such as age, education, and occupation—play a pivotal role in how residents perceive and value heritage, shaping their preferences for preservation. By analyzing survey data and public contributions to the Cultural Heritage Inventory, researchers identified key heritage objects prioritized by locals, offering actionable insights for urban planners and conservationists. The findings underscore the necessity for heritage policies that balance modernization with cultural retention, ensuring Kaunas's unique character is preserved while addressing broader challenges faced by cities with similar historical legacies.

Povilaitienė, I., Zaleckis, K., Mlinkauskienė, A., Ivaškevičius, M., & Džiaugys, A. (2025). Residents’ Sense of the Place in the Central Part of Kaunas City in Relation to Tangible Cultural Heritage. Architecture and Urban Planning, 21(1), 22–36. https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2025-0003