Reconstructing Belonging: Place Attachment in Antakya's Temporary Settlements after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Abstract

Post-disaster urban environments necessitate a comprehensive understanding of place attachment to guide socially sustainable reconstruction efforts. This study examines the emotional, cognitive, and behavioural components of place attachment in temporary settlements in Antakya, Türkiye, following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Using Scannell and Gifford’s tripartite model – encompassing person, place, and psychological process dimensions- this research identifies 18 specific components of attachment. A mixed-methods design, including historical analysis, interviews with local experts (n=9) and surveys of residents and NGOs (n=113), reveals that strong emotional and cultural connections persist despite spatial dislocation. Findings suggest that affective elements like happiness and pride, along with cultural memory, play critical roles in sustaining attachment. This study offers a transferable analytical framework for integrating place attachment dynamics into post-disaster urban policy.

Keywords: Place Attachment, post-disaster reconstruction, Temporary Settlements, Belonging Construction, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes