Introduction

Around the world, in every sphere of life, from psychology to physics, from farming to the family kitchen, there is a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of life.  New movements are springing up, committed to living on a human scale.  The numbers are growing and the desire for change is spreading…there is a rediscovery of values - values that have existed for thousands of years, values that recognize our place in the natural order - our indissoluble connection to one another and to the earth.”

-- Helen Norberg-Hodge
author of "Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh"

Imagine for a moment that you are walking down a familiar street within your neighborhood and someone stopped to ask you, "What is it that defines your community? What is your connection to this place?" What would you say? Would you start describing the natural elements such as the mountains or the forest? What about the physical elements, the buildings or maybe even the people? Maybe you would answer with reference to your local park or your favorite store? Would you describe a feeling? How would you answer the question? Have you ever thought about what it is that connects you to where you are?

There is no right or wrong definition for what provides an individual with that connection to a place, it is different for everyone. Sense of place is better understood as the feeling of connection with the land, other people, and society. As Simone Weil put it, "To be rooted is perhaps the most important but least understood need of the human soul." Each individual has their own criteria that define sense of place just as each community has a sense of place that defines it and sets it apart from other communities. Whether it is the flow of the river running through town, the blossoming of the spring wildflowers, or the familiar faces one sees while walking down the street, sense of place is the dynamic look and feel of the environments in which we live.

Sense of place inherently exists in every community. Sense of place dictates how a community functions on a day-today basis, what motivates that community to respond effectively to change, and how well that community survives over time. As Richard Florida points out in his book Rise of the Creative Class, "Place is becoming the central organizing unit of our economy and society." It is the sense of place that allows for distinct and individual communities everywhere.

Although every community has a unique sense of place, recognizing, defining, and harnessing it takes effort. The quote at the top of this page provides a foundation for defining sense of place, beginning with a deliberate reconnection with the values that tie us to each other and to the earth. In thinking about and envisioning the future of our communities, it is important to consider the collective sense of place of the people who live there. What draws people to that particular community? What is important to the community? What are the common goals of the community? What would the community like to see change?

When beginning to redefine or revitalize our communities, it is important to first recognize, define, and harness the sense of place for our particular community. The core set of values or collective sense of place provides the foundation upon which chanage can take place. Part One of the Open Space Toolkit provides tools for evaluating your community's sense of place and harnessing those shared values as the foundation for prolonged prosperity.

Throughout this literature the term "residents" refers not only to a community's citizens, but also to the public or private organizations, local governments, and businesses that make up the community.

Residents with a heightened sense of who they are and how they want their communities to grow are undoubtedly better prepared to face the future. Visioning exercises and visual preference surveys, when incorporated into a vision-based planning process, are two methods that help residents build consensus and realize their community's future potential. Other tools; such as the preservation of historic resources, regional media outreach, community branding, and celebratory events also offer residents the opportunity to heighten their sense of community. By embracing and instituting a sense of community ownership and pride, residents will be better caretakers and marketers of their community. The following discussion is an overview and summary of some tools that exist for creating or enhancing a sense of place within a community. This process may take years, but it is an invaluable venture that will help foster an indelible sense of community for generations to come.