A sense of place in the Tucson Arts District

Abstract

The expression "sense of place" has been used to describe the relationship between a natural or built environment and the people who inhabit or perceive that environment. This relationship involves the qualities or attributes which give a place its own particular character, as well as the identification and association that people give to a place. Aspects of Tucson's current sense of place are explored in this study by examining the perceptions of Tucson's accepted symbols and attributes held by persons involved with the planned downtown Arts District. The current quality of Tucson's sense of place was found to be most strongly reflected in the Sonoran Desert Environment, the city's ethnic and cultural history, and the urbanism of the revitalizing Central Business District. The content of Tucson's characteristic attributes was used to suggest design opportunities useful in enhancing the sense of place in the planned downtown Arts District.