| Summary: | Globally, increased length-of-life trends parallel the rise in reported levels of loneliness. Social connectedness is associated with a 50% reduced risk of premature mortality, and research has shown there is a moderately strong association between people who are lonely and people who have an unmet desire to belong. As so, urban planners and designers continually try to understand place relationships within communities to better the health and welfare of future generations. This thesis acknowledges there is a gap of understanding how the built and natural environment play a role in an increased sense of belonging, thus contributing to an alleviation of reported feelings of loneliness and potentially increasing length and quality of life. Utilizing the ‘Blue Zone’ island of Ikaria as a case study, where residents commonly live well beyond 90 and 100 years, this thesis aims to better understand connections between longevity and the physical environment for the longest-lived, cataloguing how these connections influence feelings of belonging. The research consists of a site visit to Ikaria, Greece, where data was collected over the period of five days, employing interview and field observation methods. Drawing from key concepts within environmental psychology and placemaking, the work critically explores the perceptions of Ikarian elders and the public space they regularly inhabit, as well as their role in contributing to sense of place and feelings of belonging. The conclusion offers suggestions on how urban planners might take these findings into consideration, as it is of great importance for planning professionals to better understand individual perceptions of their environment, which may help prevent alienation and increase overall wellbeing.
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