Design for Sustainability: Exploring Cultural Attributes in an Indian Village for Nature Connectedness—A Grounded Theory Approach

In the Anthropocene era, novel design strategies aligned with community mental models are imperative for sustainable behavior. Through in-depth interviews with 18 participants actively engaged in cultural activities, the study identifies three axial codes: a) nature worship, b) cultural identity, and c) sacred lunisolar events. These codes are integral to the formation of environmental identity, fostering human-nature connectedness. Drawing on these findings, the paper proposes a framework for designing interventions that leverage cultural attributes to promote sustainable behavior.