Place Attachment in Primary Schools

Abstract

Psychology scholars consider school design as an effective educational parameter in students’ learning ability. As a live and dynamic factor, it may significantly influence the quality of students’ educational performance. Although educational spaces are very influential in learning, this is not enough singly considering the qualitative dimensions of educational spaces. Yet, educational spaces and especially schools are among the most influential environments regarding human personality development. Having sense of belonging to a place is a significant qualitative criterion which guarantees durability of that place. In practical design, places which can create sense of attachment in students make them pleased and help them to stay at the place satisfactorily. In this article the main focus is ‘place attachment’. It was an effort to find solutions for creating and increasing this emotional bond between school children and the educational space through design. Since the context of this research was Shiraz city in Iran, it is necessary to consider that in this country male and female students are segregated in schools from early years of education. Therefore, it was necessary to pay attention to specific conditions of Persian culture and Islamic traditions and attitudes. According to observations I had in a number of well-known primary schools of the city, most of these schools suffer from lack of architectural quality and educational equipment. Another problem is failure to meet design standards and principles. Duo to such problems, we may ask; how can place attachment be created in such environments? How can students become interested in school and learning under these conditions? And, what is required to make school more attractive and interesting? Therefore, we need to have a responsive space. But what features should this ‘responsive space’ have? As a result, focusing on place attachment as a potential way is one of the most significant solutions.

Keywords: Architecture, Primary school, Place attachment