The impact of sensory experiences on place attachment, place loyalty and civic participation: Evidence from Rasht, Iran

This study examines the perceptions of public spaces through the five senses on place attachment, place loyalty and civic participation. The study proposes an innovative analytical model (based on the stimulus-organism-response model) that maps the complex relationships between the five senses (sight, sound, scent, touch and taste) and desired community outcomes. An online survey was conducted with 396 residents of Rasht and the data were analyzed using structural equation modelling (SmartPLS 3). The results show that sensory experiences have a modest effect in strengthening people's attachment to the city, which in turn induces loyalty to the city and generates higher levels of civic participation. The study provides recommendations for urban planners and government officials on how best to encourage place attachment, place loyalty, and civic participation by adopting policies for promoting sensory experiences.