The concept of place attachment provides a viable starting point and a context for meaning and community, but what can colleges and universities do to increase place attachment and a sense of belonging. Creating Place Attachment From the authors' experiences there are two major ingredients to developing a sense of place within the work setting. One focuses on the structure of the workplace, the other on the process of developing workspaces. Most workplaces in colleges and universities are offices. Providing spaces that have personal status contributes to a feeling of having importance within the organization.
Territoriality also presents an interesting paradox.
In establishing clear boundaries, one must at the same time create boundaries which are permeable, open to the rest of the community. Summary From an ecological and participative management perspective, the most important recommendation is to involve the people who will be using the space in its design or redesign. Involvement breeds attachment, which may assist in the creation and development of campus community. The path to campus community may start with place attachment. William Hubiak is a private consultant and a doctoral candidate in Human Resource Development at the School of Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.