Development of a Town-Walk Program to cultivate "Place Sensitivity"

Focusing on Its Impact on Place Attachment and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a town-walk program designed to enhance place attachment and subjective well-being,and to verify its effectiveness. Focusing on the concept of "place sensitivity," which influences how people perceive urban environments, the program was implemented and evaluated. As a result, it was found to increase both place attachment and subjective well-being. Moreover, by fostering this sensitivity, participants showed increased interest in various towns beyond the target area and reported enhanced well-being during daily town walks. These findings suggest that the program has the potential to enhance place attachment and subjective well-being through everyday engagement with a variety of urban environments.