St. Lawrence Campus Study:  An Empirical Study of Sense of Place
Jessie Townsend
229-6622
x2jtown@stlawu.edu

Advisor:     Dr. Thomas Greene
Advisor:     Dr. Laura Fredrickson
Poster presentation format

The primary goal of this project is to graphically sample of zones of pleasantness, territory, and attention restoration to determine which areas create a sense of place on the St. Lawrence University campus. The study examines whether physical characteristics of the landscape (for example, canopy) or character (pleasantness, perceived territory, or restorative districts) can predict sense of place here at SLU. The ability to map sense of place is important for many environmental agencies.  For example public land management agencies could use this type of analysis to help them plan multiple use for the land for which they are responsible.  At St. Lawrence campus, this information can be useful for future building and grounds projects—such as determining sites for outdoor classrooms, informal learning spaces, etc. We employed the so-called “mental map” technique, a procedure that asks participant to indicate affective reactions to geography (zones of pleasantness, for instance) on an accurate base map.  My hypothesis was that participant’s maps of restorative effects, territory and pleasantness, would predict their sense of place.  Based on spatial analytic techniques using the IDRISI and Geographic Information System.  I found that pleasantness, restorative environments and sense of place are associated with objective assessments of landscape character.