Evaluating Place Attachment in the Context of Urban Morphological Changes: The Case of Hendek District

Abstract

This study examines how morphological changes in and around Hendek, Turkey's medieval urban core affect place attachment. Archival maps, pictures, and aerial photography were evaluated to trace the city's urban fabric and the role of commonly used public spaces in defining metropolitan identity. A standardized questionnaire and onsite observations were used in the mixed-methods study of 136 participants. IBM SPSS 25 evaluated quantitative data, while IBM SPSS AMOS used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with PATH analysis to explore key variable correlations. The findings show a considerable negative correlation between morphological change perceptions and place attachment, particularly in Hendek Square. Long-term residents had stronger emotional links to central public areas, while age, life stage, and use frequency affected attachment and change perceptions. Results indicate that urban morphological change may diminish collective memory and emotional relationships with the built environment. Thus, place attachment must be integrated into urban planning and regeneration strategies to create socially cohesive, inclusive, and resilient communities because people are more likely to protect and improve places they care about.