QUID 2017, pp. 2010-2021, Special Issue N°1- ISSN: 1692-343X, Medellín-Colombia

EXAMINING THE CONCEPT OF BELONGINGNESS TO PLACE AND ITS EFFECTIVE FACTORS: A CASE STUDY OF MASOULEH VILLAGE

(Recibido el 07-11-2017. Aprobado el 09-11-2017)

Alireza Moshabaki Isfahani Department of Art and Architecture, Payame Noor University (PNU), P.O.BOX, 19395-3697 , Tehran, Faculty member of Payame Noor University (PNU),

Abstract: Today, concepts such as sense of place, belongingness and place attachment in urbanization and architecture, especially in environmental studies have drawn the attention of the scholars. However, the relationship between the two concepts is not investigated. In the present research, first, concepts such as sense of place, belongingness and its effective factors were clarified and then, a theoretical framework was developed from the above-mentioned variables. The case study area is Masouleh in the north of Iran. The applied method in the research was Quantitative and qualitative approach, and library references were used. Moreover, interviews were conducted in order to develop theoretical foundations and collect information of the region. The content of the interview and its questions were based on the library studies. Accordingly, there are 8 open question items based on which the participants express their opinions and perceptions about their inhabitants. The results showed that there are four major categories of concepts including culture, nature, society and activity which form the concept of sense of place and is one of the most significant factors in creating the belongingness to the place. In the following, the secret for the survival of such places related to belongingness will be explained.

Keywords: sense of place, belongingness, physical factors, perceptive-cognitive factors, Masouleh Village.

Citar, estilo APA: Moshabaki, A. (2017). Examining the concept of belongingness to place and its effective factors: A case study of masouleh village. Revista QUID (Special Issue), 2010-2021.

1. INTRODUCTION place while reminding the people of the previous experiences and achievement to identity (Falahat, Sense of place signifies the mental perception of 2006). Amos Rapaport considers the role of people from an environment and a more or less dominant culture in a community in forming conscious feeling about it which creates an internal meaning of place as an important factor. In his connection between the person and the view, by the help of culture, that is, a set of values, environment in the sense that perception and beliefs, worldview and common institutional feeling of the person is integrated with semantic systems, people give meaning to their place context of the environment. The feeling is a crucial changing a meaningless place into a meaningful factor in changing a space into a place with one. On the other hand, he believes that culture is emotional and behavioral characteristics for special indirectly considers as one of the main foundations people. In addition to the fact that sense of place of human mental life and by studying culture, it is leads to comfort feeling in the environment, it also possible to understand the surrounding supports cultural concepts of people, social and environment by human perception (Rapaport, cultural relations of the community in a certain 1982). place while reminding the people of the previous experiences and achievement to identity. In Schulz’s view, sense of place means human mental perception of the place and and a more or Belongingness is considered as a cognitive relation less conscious feeling about it which creates an with an environment or a special space. In fact, internal connection between the person and the belongingness to place is the symbolic relation environment in the sense that perception and created by people to the place while signifying feeling of the person is integrated with semantic emotional, sensational and cultural meanings to a context of the environment. The feeling is a crucial certain place (Altman @ Low, 1992). In the factor in changing a space into a place with majority of the related literature, the concept of emotional and behavioral characteristics for special place emphasizes belongingness or emotional people. In addition to the fact that sense of place attachment to a place (Knox @ Pinch, 2000). leads to comfort feeling in the environment, it also Given the importance of this feeling in enhancing supports cultural concepts of people, social and the designed space quality, the present study cultural relations of the community in a certain examined the concept of belongingness to place place while reminding the people of the previous and its effective factors. In addition, it also experiences and achievement to identity (Norberg- investigates the effect of physical and perceptive- Schulz, 1975). cognitive factors of the place on individuals’ feelings toward the environment. In his Theory of city shape, Lynch considers the meaning of place as the result of the relationship 1. Review of the literature. between spatial elements and observers’ mental structures. In his definition, what is meant by 1.1. The definition of sense of place spatial elements are the factors by which physical environment is defined. In his definitions, mental Previous studies show that in addition to physical patterns incorporate all of the users’ concepts and elements, environments include messages, values including culture, manner, position, meanings and codes which are decoded by people experience, etc. He equals the place with the through the designs, expectations and motivations. concept of identity maintaining that identity means The general feeling that is given to a person after the extent to which a person can distinguish a place perceiving and judging the environment is called from others in the sense that there is a certain, sense of place which plays an important role in unique and special personality (Lynch, 1984). corresponding the person and the place leading to better utilization of the place, users’ satisfaction 1.2. Sense of place in phenomenological and finally belongingness. Sense of place means perspective peoples’ mental perception of the environment and their more or less consciousness about their Sense of place not only causes correspondence an environment which creates an internal connection efficiency of architectural place, but also it is a between the people and the place in the sense that factor for sense of security, pleasure and emotional perception and emotions of the person are perceptions of people while helping the identity of integrated with the semantic context. This feeling people and their belongingness. In a is a key factor in hanging a space into a place with phenomenological perspective, the major concepts emotional and behavioral characteristics for certain related to sense of place are loving the place, place people. In addition to the fact that sense of place experience and place personality and the sense of leads to comfort feeling in the environment, it also place means incorporeal characteristics related to supports cultural concepts of people, social and Genius Loci. Historically, Genius Loci were used cultural relations of the community in a certain for holding religious celebrations and festivals in which the visitors had to pay attention to rituals. object itself; and third, the ability to judge about an Hence, the place in which the rituals were abstract entity such as the sense in directions conducted became a special place and the sense of which means the ability of a person in finding the reverence was one of the characteristics of the direction or the ability in showing themselves to place distinguishing the place from others which human and finally the sense meaning complete called Genius Loci (Brinckerhoff, 1994). In knowledge of an object by human. However, the modern interactions, sense of place is created by term sense here means emotion, affection and people in a specific time period as a result of feeling, judgment and holistic experience of a repetitive traditions and events describing the place in creating a special or belonging feeling in sense of the place. Some places have such an people. In environmental psychology perspective, attractive sense that give people inexplicable human needs an emotional and incorporeal feeling making him happy, interested and joyful. experience for the place in which s/he is living. Relph holds that sense of place is not a certain This need is met through intimate interaction and concept for which we could provide an accurate identification with the place in which they are definition. Rather, it is tested and evaluated by the living. The intimate interaction and identification relations between the place and phenomenological is called Genius Loci (Relph, 1976). foundations. In his view, the main meaning of the place is beyond the functions it supplied (Relph, 1976). Initial level in sense of place is the familiarity with it which include being in a place without paying attention to its meaning or qualities. Different levels of familiarity with the place include:

1. Deep familiarity with the place: this level happens when the person is in present in the place while unconsciously experiencing it. This is when the person is

unified with the place. 2. Normal familiarity with the place: This level is unconscious experience of the place which is manly collective and cultural rather than individualistic. It includes deep and un-thoughtful Figure 1. The relationship between the environmental participation in symbols of a place. The psychology and phenomenology and sense of place and participation is manifested in holy places. belongingness to place, Source: the author. 3. Superficial familiarity with the place: this level is the sensitive person’s experience 1.4. Different levels of place which is unknown to him/her and they are trying to understand how this feeling for As the indicated by investigations, sense of place the inhabitants (Relph, 1976) is. has different levels. Hummonn introduced 5 types of sense of place including belief rootedness, The personality of place is one of the most unconscious rootedness, relative place, alienation important factors in sense of place. Seamon with the place and place-less-ness (Hummon, believes that not only place refers to a 1992). For sense of place, shamai identified three geographical region, but it shows the main phases of place belongingness, attachment and personality of a site which distinguishes it from commitment with seven levels. These levels of others. In this sense, there are many landscape sense of place show the application of sense of dimensions in a place to make it distinct with place process in the following: special sense of locality (Seamon, 1982) 1. Indifference toward the place: This level is 1.3. Sense of place in environmental psychology usually not paid so much attention in the perspective literature, but could be used in testing sense of place. The term sense of place is formed of two words: 2. Awareness of being located in the place: this sense and place. The word sense has three major level is when the individual is able to live in a meanings in Oxford dictionary: First, one of the distinct place and identify its symbols but there five senses; second, feeling, affection and emotion is not any feeling for connecting the individual called mental image perception in psychology; that to the place. is, a judgment created in the individual after 3. Place belongingness: In this level, the person is perceiving the meaning of an object instead of the not only aware of the names and symbols of the place, but has mutual feeling of appreciation 3. Some places have such Genius Loci which with the environment. In this situation, the has common effects on many people. symbols of the place are respected and what Behavioral norms also affect humans and happens in the place is important to the there are some patterns for these effects and individual. also people affect behavioral norms through 4. Place attachment: In this level, the person has a physical design qualities and and place complex emotional connection with the place. maintenance. Such effects could be short Place has meaning for the person and is the term or long term and positive or negative center for him/her. Collective experience and (Steele, 1981). individual’s identify combined with meanings nad symbols give personality to the place. This Physical factors: emphasizes the exceptionality of the place for the individual and its difference with other Salvesen believes that sense of place is formed places. by the interaction of three elements of 5. Integrating with the goals of the place: This position, perspective and individual level shows continuity and integration of the interconnectedness. He also holds that individual with the needs of the place. In this physical personality, ownership, originality, situation, the person has love, support and inhabitants and welfare equipment, nature sacrifice for the place. such as water, plants, sky, sun, private and 6. Presence in the place: This level refers to the public spaces are the forming parts of place active role of the individual in the community that are effective in creating sense of place and the commitment to the place. In (Salvesen, 2002). Sense of place is found in comparison with other previous levels which places that have certain and distinct had theoretical foundation, this level and the personality. Environmental personality is next one are interpreted from real behaviors of made of tangible things which have materials, the individuals. The person implies this level shapes, texture and color (Norberg-Schulz, by investing human resources such as time, 1997). money etc. in this place. 7. Sacrifice for the place: This is the highest level 1.6. The concept of place belongingness: for sense of place and the individual has the Belongingness to a place which is based on deepest commitment to it and shows many sense of place is beyond the awareness of sacrifices for values, freedom and welfare in stability in a place. This sense leads to human different situations. At this level, readiness for bond to a place in which human considers leaving individualistic and collective interests himself as a part of the place and creates an for the sake of larger interests to the place is image of the place in his mind based on his observed (Shamai, 1991). experiences of signs, meaning, performances 1.5. Factors shaping sense of place and place personality and it is respected by human (Steele, 1981: 44). Anything located in Perceptive-cognitive factors: a place simply requires space. Mutual relations and reactions among the three factors As it was mentioned, sense of place is a complex of human behavior, concepts and physical combination of meanings, symbols and qualities characteristics create a place (Afsharnadery, that a person or a group perceives un/consciously 1999: 4). from a certain place or region (Shamai, 1991). Fritz Steele believes that sense of place in any Place belongingness is a concept combined of environment depends on the way human connects feelings and human attachment to the with it. In his perspective: environment created as a result of adaption and human use of the place. Human 1. The relation between human and place is attachment is related to the environment interactional, that is, humans give positive or created by the use of place by human. Schulz negative things toward the environment and argues that sense of place is found in places then take it back. Therefore, the way people that have certain and distinct personality. act affects the quality of the environment. Environmental personality is made of tangible 2. The image of a place is not only physical, but things which have materials, shape, texture psychological and interactional. Sense of and color (Norberg Schulz, 1997). Human place is created as an experience of the geographical phenomenologists argue that combination of a place behavior and what belongingness means a strong bond, an human adds to it. In other words, some affective factor among people, place and elements created by human in the place elements that could be positive leading to cannot be created with them. expanding the relations and interactions of the individual and the environment (Relph, 1976) researchers emphasized the role of physical (Table 1). elements as an important factor in forming the sense of belongingness. Accordingly, effective Table 1. The review of the literature related to city factors in forming the sense of belongingness recognition and sense of place, source: (Cuthbert, 2006: to the place could be classified into two 253). groups: social belonging and physical belonging to the place (Motalebi @ The topic for The center of The type of Era Scholars Main idea the research the research research Forouzande, 2011: 32). Thus, physical Mamford belonging to the place is made of physical (1961), Critical elements of the place as a part of the Davies City history Mind and evaluation of 1920s Research (1968), study object previous recognition and human identity process. Riger Morris plans (1972), and Lavarkas referred to the significant role of Costav (1991) physical belongingness in the sense that Siteh (1889), individuals remember the environment as the Annion Picturesque (1909), Kallen Pictorial physical elements in forming belongingness 1950s Object research studies (1961), signs of cities meaning (Riger @ Lavarkas, 1981). One of Halperine (1966) the effective factors in determining the level

Lynch (1961), of social belongingness is the type of activities Appleyard How people and place use which forms the place and (1964), Pictorial from 1960s to observe and Mind Field Asiharah conceptualizes it. Accordingly, two elements studies 1970s perceive (1982), cities. of activity and physic are regarded as the Higuchi (1983) critical elements in sense of belongingness. How people According to Steele, the set of factors that Rayaport observe and Behavioral (1977), Morre use the built form the sense of belongingness are divided and Mind and 1950s Field (1985), almen environment environmenta object into two cognitive-perceptive and physical (1986), Gahal and how l studies (19870) they affect groups (Steele, 19811: 35). Canter also argues each other? that factors affecting the creation of sense of How people Ralph (1976), observe, feel lace are grouped into three categories of form, Norberg and use their Mind and Field and Schols surrounding shape, activity and use along with meaning Place studies 1970s object research (1983), White environment and concept (Canter, 1977: 139). Physical (1988), Hiss and how (1990) they affect characteristics not only make environments each other? distinct, but also affect the meanings that Wolf (1965), Ventori people perceive from the environment. Steele The qualities Materialistic (1977), of objectives considers the most important physical factors culture 1920 Object Research Jacson in built studies (1980), spaces in perceiving the place as follows: size, scale, Branskil (1981) elements, variety, distance, texture, Anderson ornaments, color, smell, sound, temperature, (1977), Hiller Morphologic Spatial form and Hanson and visual differences. He also regards al studies- 1950s Object Research of the city (1984), space and geometry characteristics such as identity, history, Gatidner (1986) imagery, secret, memory, eternity, Kenzen permanence, entertainment, pleasurable (1960), Wolf (1965), Layered and secrets, amazingness, security, liveliness, life Typological Whitehand analytic city studies, 1950 Object Research potential, cultural-social factors and memory (1981), and morphology Aldoresi morphology as the creator of concentrated relation with the (1982), place (Steele, 1981: 35). Hence, by Modon (1986) comparatively analyzing two models of Steele McHart Hug ,)1971( Natural (1981) and Canter (1977), it is possible to say Ecological ,)1984( Mind and process and studies- 1980s Research Aspirin that factors such as form and shape, activities object the built nature ,)1984( environment and use of place in Canter model corresponds Vendrain )1986( with physical factors of Steele and also the factor of meaning and concepts in Canter 1.7. Effective factors in creating model parallels with cognitive-perceptive belongingness factors in Steele’s model. In the following Chart, one could see the overlapping Some scholars such as Altman and Lou characteristics of Steele and Canters’ models emphasized the social role of the place. It also in relation with effective factors in the sense focused on the social-cultural interactions and of place (Figure 2). communications in the place and interpreted sense of belongingness of people (users) (Altman @ Low, 1992). Nevertheless, other

Figure 2. The overlapping of Steele and Canters’ model with respect to affective factors in sense of the place. Resource: (Heydari et al, 2014: 17).

According to the studies by Falahat (2006), one could see the relationship between sense of place and its effective factors in the following chart (Figure 3) .Accordingly theoretical framework of Figure 4. Research conceptual model (resource: the the research is proposed by considering author). individualistic and environmental factors through overlapping with effective factors in the sense of 3. MASOULEH VILLAGE belongingness to place in Figure 4. The historic and tourist city of Masouleh (the 2. RESEARCH METHOD: establishment of the municipality in the contemporary period: 1311 solar) is one of the The research examined the level of belongingness historic, lush and good weather areas of northern and its effective factors in Masouleh Village. The Iran with misty weather, cool summers and snowy applied method was qualitative relying on library winters. Village in the southwestern province of references in order to write the theoretical Gilan in Srdarjngl Fooman, 60 kilometers from the foundations and interview for the inhabitants of the city of 36 km from Fooman and 20 km from region. The content of the interview was based on the city Maklavan is located. Original language as library studies. Accordingly, due to different social the language of the village people in the South levels of the inhabitants of the village and the West of Gilan and Azerbaijan, the effort is in problems of designing the questionnaire as a Avesta and language Tati is very close. the religion packet, the interview consisted of 8 open questions of Islam and the religion is Shiite village. according to which the participants expressed their Masouleh includes an area of 100 hectares of the opinions and views about the meaning of their area under the protection of cultural heritage and place and attachment. The answer to the questions natural resources, one of the most charming parts helps us to have a better understanding of the of Iran, which attracts tens of thousands of tourists objectives of the research. Statistical population in every year. The historic and tourist city of the research was the inhabitants of Masouleh Masouleh is known for its unique architecture in village in the southwestern province of Gilan in the world. Masouleh with high mountains, forests Fooman. The sample of the participants was 100 and lush meals is one of the most touristy areas of members in different groups who answered the , with many natural effects especially research questions. In order to analyze the data, in the late spring and summer season. The peak of content analysis was used. Shah Teacher in Masouleh with a height of 3 050 m is the highest point of Guilan province and an attractive destination for climbing groups. is. Two hotels inside Masouleh traditional architecture and several hotels on the road lead to Iranian and foreign tourists. There are also many guesthouses and rental houses. The modern city of Masoulelet includes a small traditional architecture that is

located in the heart of the natural nature of the lush mountains with an area of 100 hectares in geographical coordinates of 48 degrees, 59 minutes east and 37 degrees, 9 minutes north latitude. And Figure 3. The relationship between place and its its boundary from the north to the city of , effective factors: activities, meanings, physical from the south to Tarom Oliya (Zanjan province), characteristics, Resource: (Falahat, 2006: 63). from the east to the plain of Fouman and from the west to Khalkhal city (Ardabil province). The central area of from three directions to the north, south and The west is facing the mountain and from the east it overlooks the beautiful gardens. Its height from the open sea is 1050 meters. The mountainous Masouleh climate, with cool summers and cold and snowy winters, is surrounded by Masouleh, covered with forest, and its main road of communication The road is drawn to Fouman. Masuleh has a unique architecture. The enclosures in front of the houses and roofs are both used as sidewalks. Masouleh architecture has been formed in Zandieh era, and small streets and stairs are not allowed to enter any motor vehicle. The Masulelet architecture is described in one sentence: the upper building's upper building is the lower roof. The floors of the buildings usually reach up to two floors. In this historic city decoration Chinese knot frequency and original belonging to the historic town village is in fact the Chinese knot in its kind mind of nodes Chinese for Figures 5. Religious ceremonies in Masouleh Chinese knot and slates Barry are . The Chinese knot blossoms in Arsha and other openings are created in a highly skilful manner that derives from the concepts of the historic city and have been implicated in the city's monuments. Masouleh has four main neighborhoods called "Homes", "Masjid" (Mesvar), Kayser includes Kaiser & Ben Kaiser and Asad Mahallah (SS) and a four-story market, each The four neighborhoods have an independent relationship to the city's market context. Currently there are more than 350 residential units in Masouleh, which was 600 units in the past (about 100 years ago). There are more than 120 commercial units in its market area, more than 4 caravanserai, 2 bathhouses, more than 33 general fountains, 10 mosques and 5 imamzadehs, reflecting the prosperity of the city in recent periods. Masouleh 's population has fallen over the past 60 years. Being on the highway of the former communication and the presence of eight innings, Figures 6. Crafts and economics in Masouleh this is the point that many Masouleh people have been trading. Masouleh handicrafts, including wood and wood industry, have been around since the 1960s, which have now completely disappeared. Masuleh's economy is currently based on tourism. Another important point in the culture of Masouleh is the acceptance. What remains of Masouleh's past is the traditional ritual of the month of Muharram. Since the possibility of construction in Masouleh is very limited (only damage can be restored), the population of the Masuleh is about 1,000 people, but ten times more than its fixed inhabitants reside in large cities of Iran and outside Iran. (Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8).

4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In order to present the collected data in the research, the answer to each question was separately interpreted and concluded.

Question 1: What does Masouleh region represent to you?

The answer to this question had a large range of opinions. The answers were grouped into four categories of nature, society, activity and culture. However, it should be noted that the majority of opinions were related to nature and society as the symbol of Masouleh region. The participants paid special attention to geographical position, natural signs and symbols, human relations and rural community, physical form of village, personal and emotional relations with places and individuals.

However, the structural differences in the village which were due to high slope of the mountain and activities such as farming and husbandry were geographically influenced by the different structure

had the highest share in expressing meaning in the inhabitants’ perspective.

Q 2: what do social relations in Masouleh region represent to you?

The answer to this question was limited to two components of society and culture. Hence, factors Figures 7. Architecture and Nature in Masouleh such as family bonds and emotional connections with friends, national, religious and local festivals and celebrations, marriage, gatherings of people in similar age, and local games were some of the examples given by the participants for this question.

Q 3. In case of leaving Masouleh region, which

aspect of this place will you miss?

The answer to this question led to four classifications among age ranges. Although there is a large range of answers to this question, it is possible to identify four elements of nature, society, activity and culture in the responses by the participants. Thus, it is clear that the young people, middle-aged people, and the elderly people care

and miss activities, culture and society, and nature of Masouleh, respectively.

Q 4. How do you describe Masouleh region for a person who has never been there?

In answering this question, physical and natural aspect of the region had highest frequency. The majority of participants referred to mountains, forest and surrounding orchards, topography and house architecture, harvesting different agricultural Figures 8. Geographic location of Masouleh products, Local traditions and customs, festivals and dance in their description. Q 5. What are the special characteristics of Table 2. The summary of findings in the interview Masouleh region in comparison with other similar examples?

Open questions in the The answers by the village inhabitants Two factors played the most significant role in interview answering this question. The first factor was the unique nature of the region. Although nature and society: mountain chain has similar nature in different (geographical position, natural signs and symbols, region and there are more beautiful forests and human relations, rural community, physical form of The meaning of place in the the village, personal and emotional relations with mountains in Alborz, the participant believed in a inhabitants’ view places and individuals) 68% spiritual and unique aspect for Masouleh region in  structural differences due to slope and comparison with other regions. One the other hand, mountains 11%  agricultural and husbandry activities, 21 special cultural components of this region were % among other unique characteristics of this region in comparison with others such as Oramanat Village. Society and culture: Family and emotional bonds with individuals, 25% National, religious and local festivals and Q 6. What do you always vividly remember Social relations celebrations, 65% from Masouleh region? Gatherings and local games, 10% In order to answer this question, the participants equally referred to the four components of nature, The young (activities), 10% culture, society and activities. According to the The feeling of nostalgia Middle-aged individuals (culture and society), 55% findings, the nature of the region and the form of and missing in case of leaving The elderly (nature), 35% the village is the most significant answer among the male participants. However, middle-aged men  physical and natural aspects, mountains, forest and orchards, 25% and older ones showed tendency toward the  topography and housing architecture, activities in the region. This is while women paid The type of description of 50% the region for the guests  harvesting different agricultural more attention to culture and society. Among products, 5% them, two social structures including marriage and  Local traditions and customs, festivals and dance, 20% friendship with neighbor women were among the Distinctive characteristics Unique nature along with spiritual and special significant answers for the female participants. of the region in comparison aspects, 70% with other similar regions Especial cultural components, 30% Male (nature, form and shape of the village, Q 7. If possible, what type of change do you activities), 60% Remembering make for the structure of Masouleh region? Female: culture and society (marriage celebrations, friendship with women neighbors), 40%  expanding forest and orchard (nature), The answer to this question had a large range of The required changes in 54% classifications which are not definable and the region  expanding communication ways, 25%  more public places, 21% identifiable. However, the most significant aspect  having dogmatism or satisfaction from of the answer to this question was expanding forest the status quo and dissatisfaction toward changing the landscape or heterogeneous Reaction to change in and orchard and in fact, nature in parts of development, 70% region’s landscape Masouleh which are not suitable due to lack of  expanding components and water or high slope. Expanding communication manifestations of the nature in the village, 95% ways and public places were among highly frequent answers. 5. DATA ANALYSIS

Q 8. What is your opinion about changing In the present research, the meaning of place and Masouleh region landscape? the sense of belongingness in residential communities were examined. In so doing, The answer to this question shows a special kind of Masouleh Village was studied. The analysis of the dogmatism or satisfaction from the status quo and questionnaire showed that the existing meanings in dissatisfaction with respect to changing the mind of rural inhabitants and meaning landscapes. However, most of the paticipants transferred to their mind through the preferred to expand the natural components of Masouleh.

In the following table, a summary of the interviews are presented (Table 2):

Table 3. Adapting the research theoretical framework with effective factors in the sense of belongingness in Masouleh Village (source: the author).

Subsets of Effective factors in the sense of belongingness Main indices main indices Building style Form influence by natural background The existing relations Relations among Physical factors and public, semi- organizing. private and private places Historical, religious and Specific reminding places and monuments monuments such as Pir Shaliar tombstone. Neighborhoo d relations, Social Figure 9. The effective factors in the sense of gatherings interactions belongingness in Masouleh Village (source: the author). and local games Social issues Environmentalfactors Family income and Social classes the type of ethnics are effective place were identified into four groups of culture, Local Local contributions collaboration activity, nature and society. These concepts and s in religious collaboration festivals and demonstrate the meanings of the place while s celebrations effectively contributing to the sense of Activity Holding group rituals, belongingness in rural places (Figures 9 and 10). Reminding local dances local events and religious and local festivals

Feeling of Satisfaction satisfaction of the place from where we live Due to having the spirit for collaboration Sense of and local security contributions Mental images for creating sense of security in the place The type of environmenta l relations, Belongings type and level of expectations

Figure 10. Adapting Canter and Steele models with the The time of residence in effective factors in sense of belongingness in Masouleh Time and the place,

Individualfactors Village (source: the author) type of long-term residence onwnership is dominant to temporary In the following table, the adaptation of the ownership The cultural research findings with the effective factors in context in Cultural Individual characteristics which the reference creating sense of belongingness to place were individual grew up presented according to the theoretical framework Dependent of the study (Table 3): on the context of the region, Employment living 6. SUMMARY environment, husbandry and - Theoretical inclinations and building agriculture. block ideas are considered as the concepts that lead to the integration of form and meaning. - The traditional concepts and content of - Traditional shape and form of the design structures are perceived when human building as one of the effective factors in design confronts the building and creates a spiritual process could play a significant role in creating connection. and transferring meaning to the addresses’ mind. - Traditional materials for designs and buildings are among the effective parameters in forming architectural language for connecting with issues such as physic, performance, materials, human and environment. It also has a direct climate and landscape. It is possible to achieve relationship with the quality and value of the eternity in architecture only when objectivity and architecture. mentality are integrated (e.g. unknown quality) and - Social experiences and interactions that the building is evaluated in different eras with happen in the place could create meaning in it for respect to the environment and the human (Figure an individual. Creating the sense of belongingness 11). This is when architecture could be considered to the place is based on the peoples’ participation as a media while people are the dynamic audience and the level of cultural interactions in that place. with various thoughts and traditions during - Sense of belongingness to place is different eras. dependent on activities that people do according to their cultural requirements (Altman@Low, 1992:7). - Attachment and sense of belongingness to place generally occurs after the individual has a long term experience with a place and during this process, the place takes a wide range of meaning for the individual (Kaplan, 1995: 172). - Among the most effective characteristics of place are activities and interactions between human and the place which plays a crucial role in improving the sense of belongingness and attachment toward the place (Altman@Low, 1992; Relph, 1976). In fact, the type of activities in the place results in gaining meaning from it and gaining meaning in itself is conducive to attachment and sense of belongingness to the Figure 11. Clarifying the relationship between the sense place. In addition, creating the sense of of belongingness and eternity (source: the author) belongingness to the place is strengthened by creating events and continuous activities (Altman@Low, 1992: 7). REFERENCES These are the important factors in creating the sense of belongingness and increasing the level of local identity in this region. In order to make eternal architecture, first, one should be familiar Afsharnadery, K.. (1999), "From Function to with the concept of “unknown quality” which leads Place",Memar, Issue VI, Fall, pp 6-4. to the eternity of the building. In this respect, Christopher Alexander in his “Architecture and the Alexander, C.. (2011), T: Ghayoomi Bidhendi, secret of eternity- the way to timelessness” Mehrdad, "Architecture and the immortality secret presented a detailed explanation. Unknown quality ", published by Roozaneh, Tehran. is a critical quality which is the foundation, vitality and soul of any human, city, monument or intact Altman, I., S. Low, )1992(,”Place Attachment”, nature. This quality is objective and precise but Plenum Press: New York. cannot be named since it always takes its form from the place in which it occurred. The words for Brinckerhoff, Jackson John (1994)," A Sense of such quality include liveliness, coherence, comfort Place, A Sense of Time", Yale University Press, and eternity (Alexander, 2011: 353). New Haven and London.

7. CONCLUSION Canter, David,)1977(,”The Psychology Of Place”, London: Architectural Press. Given the findings of the research, it is possible to note that architecture could achieve eternity and Falahat,M,(2006), “The concept of a sense of place immortality in different historical eras if it interacts and the factors shaping it”, Journal of Fine Arts, in two aspects of content and form with its context NO:27, PP:57-66. in order to be able to understand the “the way to timelessness” and “eternity”. Here, content context Heydari, Ali Akbrar and others (2014), "Exploring deals with the discussion around traditional the relationship between the concept of a sense of aestheticism, meaning, culture, mysteries and place and attachment to place in the student metaphors which are the foundations for the topic residence", Journal of Fine Arts, Volume 19, Issue while, on the other hand, form context deals with One, p. 17.

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