Analysis of Factors Influencing Place Attachment in Rural Areas

A Case Study of Tawarayama District, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Abstract

Towards endogenous rural development, it has been an important issue how to foster residents’ place attachment as motive power to revitalize rural areas. The aim of this study was to analyze factors influencing residents’ place attachment. The subject area of this study is Tawarayama District, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The statistical result by structural equation modeling showed the following findings; (1) The social environment and residence time influence place attachment directly. (2) Place attachment is gradually fostered from preference to emotion to desire. (3) Place attachment influences the pride in their community and the desire to have the younger generation settle down.