Cultivating a productive sense of place: Heritage experience, wellbeing, and urban preservation in historic cities

• A productive sense of place supports heritage city preservation. • Forty-eight concepts were grouped into nine overarching dimensions. • Heritage place experience includes ambience, tangibility, and socialization. • Sense of place involves self-identity, place dependence, place identity, and sense of mission. • A framework was developed by integrating heritage experience, sense of place, and wellbeing. A strong sense of place plays an essential role in preserving heritage cities. To foster this sense among local communities, we must understand the heritage experience. However, locals do not always translate their sense of place into active preservation efforts. This study investigates the processes that cultivate a ‘productive’ sense of place. We conducted in-depth interviews and observations in Melaka and George Town, World Heritage Sites of Malaysia. Our research identified forty-eight concepts, categorized them into twenty-one sub-dimensions, and grouped these into nine overarching dimensions. We further identified three key themes—heritage place experience, sense of place, and wellbeing—and explored how they interact. A productive sense of place strengthens identity, fosters emotional attachment, and encourages a shared sense of responsibility for heritage conservation, thereby contributing to individual and collective wellbeing. This process enhances community resilience and cultural continuity. Based on these insights, we developed a model outlining how to generate a ‘productive’ sense of place. The elements of heritage place experience play a critical role in narrating the stories of a heritage city effectively. Local communities and authorities must collaborate strategically to plan and preserve heritage. This joint effort will protect the integrity of our cultural heritage and enrich the cultural landscape for future generations.