Place Attachment to Sungod Lawn: Using Photovoice to Understand Student Perceptions of Public Open Space at the University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Public open spaces are important parts of the campus landscape and serve a variety of roles. Previous research has shown that certain characteristics of public space, such as greenery and places to gather, provide community building and well-being benefits for students. These spaces may function as “third places” for students, a place to gather outside of home and work, and facilitate the place attachment process, the formation of deep and positive bonds between people and place. This project uses photovoice, a participatory research method, to understand the roles and meanings public open space has for some students at the the University of California San Diego (UCSD). After discussing their selected public open space with 10 students at UCSD, elements which promote place attachment was revealed, including: positive emotions, natural elements, social elements, and logistical elements. For students at UCSD, different spaces serve different functions, ranging from quiet, restorative spaces to popular, park-like spaces. Students highly value greenery in public open space and seem to expect greenery in the form of open lawns, typified by Sungod Lawn. Furthermore, although public open spaces at UCSD do not seem to be “third places”, they still play a crucial role in the lives of students providing meaningful spaces for students to destress and relax. Students showed attachment to these spaces, revealing deep bonds with the places they selected. Public open space on campus should not be evaluated simply by the number of students who use them. Smaller and quieter spaces hold deep meaning for students and contribute important mental health benefits. A variety of thoughtfully planned spaces should be included on college campuses to meet the diverse and varied needs of students.