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“Are you happy here?”: the relationship between quality of life and place attachment

António Joaquim Araújo de Azevedo (School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal)
Maria João Ferreira Custódio (International Centre of Territory and Tourism Research, University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal)
Fernando Pereira Antunes Perna (School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism, University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal)

Journal of Place Management and Development

ISSN: 1753-8335

Article publication date: 19 July 2013

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a new insight (focused on residents) into the measurement of place attachment, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy and perceived happiness, in order to provide public policy makers with performance indicators for place marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey applied to 641 residents of Portimão, the second most populated city in Algarve, in the south of Portugal, was conducted to assess the quality of life attributes and place attachment measures.

Findings

Findings revealed that the city's quality of life attributes (comprising six dimensions) influence place attachment – which is significantly correlated with self‐efficacy, perceived happiness and active citizenship behaviours.

Practical implications

As an input for the city policy makers, this research can contribute to a better knowledge and management of the factors that influence the residents' well‐being. For residents, it provided an opportunity for participation which may influence the public planning of the city.

Originality/value

The paper discusses a new framework that is a contribution for policy makers and public decision makers of the relevance of systematic place marketing and monitoring.

Keywords

Citation

Joaquim Araújo de Azevedo, A., João Ferreira Custódio, M. and Pereira Antunes Perna, F. (2013), "“Are you happy here?”: the relationship between quality of life and place attachment", Journal of Place Management and Development, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 102-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMD-06-2012-0017

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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