The relationship between place attachment, the theory of planned behaviour and residents' response to place change

Abstract This study examined the relationships between place attachment, the theory of planned behaviour and place-protective action. Place attachment was higher in people who evaluated place change as negative. However, only half of the people who thought change would be negative reported protesting. The theory of planned behaviour was found to predict protesting. People who had positive attitudes about the value of protesting, who thought that most people around them were protesting, and who had greater perceived behavioural control were more likely to protest. A follow-up study after the place-protective actions had been successful found that people who thought their actions had influenced decision making were more likely to intend to remain civically engaged. These results have implications for our understanding of civic behaviour and the roles attachment to place, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control play in how people interpret and react to place change.