Sense of place: using people’s experiences in relation to a rural landscape to inform spatial planning guidelines

A transdisciplinary, qualitative study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vredefort Dome in South Africa revealed that residents' emotional and physical experiences with the rural landscape—such as safety, tranquility, hope, curiosity, and relational connections—can directly inform spatial planning guidelines. Participants, through interviews, focus groups, and visual collages, developed two- and three-dimensional design recommendations to preserve the site's 'sense of place,' including low-density development, conservation zones, and stylistic unity with diverse details. The research proposes an integrated, participatory approach that bridges human experiences with spatial planning, offering a novel framework for balancing heritage conservation with community needs.

Puren, K., Roos, V., & Coetzee, H. (2017). Sense of place: using people’s experiences in relation to a rural landscape to inform spatial planning guidelines. International Planning Studies, 23(1), 16–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/13563475.2017.1329087