Sense of Place

Module 2

Discover Europe's Intangible Cultural Heritage through interactive learning, storytelling, community engagement and digital heritage documentation.

Estimated Duration: Around 4 hours;

Lead Partner: BlaBankinn (Iceland)

About this Module

This module introduces the concept of Sense of Place and explores how emotional, cultural, historical, sensory, and social connections contribute to the identity and uniqueness of rural and remote communities.

Through presentations, collaborative discussions, and practical activities, you will explore how landscapes, traditions, memories, community life, and everyday experiences shape the relationship between people and place. You will also examine how these connections contribute to heritage preservation, community participation, local identity, and sustainable tourism development.

Working with your selected Training Case, you will analyse the defining characteristics of a real rural or remote place and reflect on how its stories, traditions, physical environment, and community relationships create a unique Sense of Place

Duration
4 Hours





Activities
Group discussion
Practical activity
Reflection
Lead Partner
BlaBankinn  (Iceland)
 
Main Focus
Identity
Belonging 
Place

What will you learn?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Module Schedule

Follow the recommended learning sequence below. Each step builds upon the previous one, combining conceptual presentations, collaborative activities, and reflection to help you apply the module content to your Training Case.

Explain the concept of Sense of Place and its importance for community identity.

Explore how memories, traditions and everyday experiences contribute to local identity.

Reflect on the relationship between people, place and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Apply the concept of Sense of Place to your own Training Case and selected community.

Identify the physical, cultural, historical and emotional characteristics that define a place.

Module Schedule

Follow the recommended learning sequence below. Each step builds upon the previous one, combining conceptual presentations, collaborative activities, and reflection to help you apply the module content to your Training Case.

 Presentation “Sense of Place”  – Introduction to the concept.

Activity”Exploring Sense of Place”-  Analyse your selected place.

Break

Reflection – Share findings.

Activity”Exploring Sense of Place”-  Analyse your selected place.

Final Reflection- Consolidate learning.

Activities

Activity “Presentation-Sense of Place”

20 minutes • Presentation 

A short introduction explaining the purpose of the presentation and how it prepares learners for the practical activity.

After completing this presentation, learners will be able to:

  • Define the concept of Sense of Place.
  • Explain the relationship between people, place, identity and heritage.
  • Identify the elements that contribute to a place’s uniqueness.
  • Prepare for the practical activity.

Aproximately 20 minutes

  •  Presentation”Sense of Place”
  • Computer or laptop
  • Projector/screen (for classroom delivery)
  • Internet connection (for online delivery)

Before starting the presentation:

  • Ensure the presentation is available and opens correctly.
  • Check that participants have access to the slides (online or downloadable).
  • Encourage learners to take notes while watching.
  • Ask participants to think about the rural or remote place they selected for their Training Case before beginning the presentation.
  • Explain that the concepts introduced in the presentation will be applied during the practical activity that follows.

This presentation introduces the key concepts of Sense of Place and explores how physical landscapes, cultural heritage, local traditions, memories, emotions, and community relationships contribute to the identity of a place.

Throughout the presentation, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own selected rural or remote place, identify the characteristics that make it unique, and begin connecting the concepts to their Training Case.

The presentation serves as the theoretical foundation for the practical activity and prepares participants to analyse the Sense of Place of their chosen community.

Activity – “Exploring the Sense of Place of My Community”

40 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case
Brief Description

Participants work in small groups using the rural or remote place they selected before the training. Together, they answer five guiding questions connected to the concept of Sense of Place, exploring the physical, emotional, historical, cultural and social characteristics that make their place unique.

By completing this activity you will be able to:

  • Apply the concept of Sense of Place to your selected location.
  • Identify the physical, emotional, historical and cultural characteristics of a place.
  • Analyse local traditions, memories and community activities.

Aproximately 40 minutes

  • Pen and paper (one set per group)
  • Laptop
  • Projector

Before starting:

  • Arrange participants into small groups.
  • Ensure every group works on the rural or remote place selected before the training.
  • Prepare the presentation and display the guiding questions.
  • Provide pens and paper for each group.
Step 1
Description

Working in groups, discuss your selected place by answering the following questions:

  1. What physical features define the place?
  2. What traditions or cultural practices exist there?
  3. What stories or memories are connected to it?
  4. What activities happen there today?
  5. What emotions do people associate with the place?

As a group, reflect on how geography, traditions, community life, memories and emotions contribute to the identity and uniqueness of your place.

30 minutes

Materials: Pen and paper

Description

Each group summarises its discussion and prepares a short reflection to present to the rest of the participants.

Focus on:

  • Common themes
  • Distinctive characteristics
  • Elements that strengthen the Sense of Place within your community

10 minutes.

N/A.

  • Create a positive and open environment where participants feel comfortable sharing ideas and personal experiences.
  • Ensure all participants contribute to the discussion.
  • Adapt the activity to the local context and participants’ needs.
  • Encourage cooperation rather than competition.
  • Promote active listening and respect for different perspectives.
  • Document interesting ideas, quotes or photos for later reflection or inclusion in the Digital Collection.
  • Keep the discussion focused while allowing enough time for everyone to contribute.

Record the key characteristics, traditions, memories and emotions identified during this activity. These observations will become the basis for the following modules, where you will explore Intangible Cultural Heritage, Intergenerational Learning, Community Engagement, Digitalisation and the development of your heritage-based tourism concept.

Activity “Reflection – Share Findings”

20-30 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case

Participants present the outcomes of their group discussions, sharing the key characteristics that contribute to the Sense of Place of their selected rural or remote community. Through collective reflection, they compare perspectives and identify common themes as well as unique features of each place.

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Communicate the results of their group discussions effectively.
  • Compare different interpretations of Sense of Place.
  • Recognise common and unique characteristics across different communities.
  • Reflect on how local identity is shaped by physical, cultural, historical and social elements.

20-30 minutes

  • Flipchart sheets or posters prepared/Notes during the previous activity
  • Markers
  • Optional projector or digital presentation tool

Invite each group to organise the main points from their previous discussion and select one spokesperson (or divide the presentation among several members). Ensure each group has access to their notes or visual materials.

  1. . Each group presents its selected place in 2–3 minutes, highlighting the main findings from the five guiding questions explored during the previous activity.
  2. After each presentation, allow 1–2 minutes for questions or comments from the other participants.
  3. Encourage participants to identify similarities and differences between the places presented.
  4. Conclude with a facilitated group discussion using questions such as:
    • What characteristics appeared in most communities?
    • What made each place unique?
    • Which stories, traditions or memories had the strongest impact?
    • What surprised you while listening to the other groups?
  • Encourage every group to contribute to the discussion.
  • Ensure all presentations remain focused on the guiding questions explored during the previous activity.
  • Promote respectful listening and invite participants to compare different perspectives without judging them.
  • Highlight recurring themes related to identity, belonging, heritage, memories, and community values.
  • Use the discussion to reinforce the connection between Sense of Place and the participants’ Training Cases, preparing them for the next module on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Activity – “Sense of Place Study Visit”

90-120 minutes •Field Activity • Training Case
Brief Description

Participants visit their selected place or another rural or remote site to observe, experience, and document its unique characteristics. Using the concepts introduced throughout the module, they explore the physical, emotional, historical, cultural, and sensory dimensions of the place while collecting observations that will support the development of their Training Case.

By completing this activity you will be able to:

  • Observe the different elements that contribute to a Sense of Place
  • Identify physical, cultural, natural and sensory characteristics of a place.
  • Record observations using a structured approach.
  • Exchange perspectives with other participants during the field visit.
  • Collect information that will support the development of their Training Case.

90-120 minutes

  • Notebook or paper for taking notes
  • Pens or pencils
  • Camera or smartphone (optional)
  • The five guiding questions from the previous activity

Select a suitable rural, remote, or heritage location for the study visit. Ensure that participants know the meeting point, estimated duration, and route before the activity begins.

Before starting the visit, remind participants to revisit the five guiding questions explored in the previous activity. Explain that these questions will serve as a framework for observing and understanding the place during the study visit. Encourage participants to take notes and photographs where appropriate to support their reflections and the development of their Training Case.

Step 1- Explore the Place
Description

Visit the selected place individually or in small groups. As you explore, use the five guiding questions from the previous activity to guide your observations:

  • What physical features define the place?
  • What traditions or cultural practices exist there?
  • What stories or memories are connected to it?
  • What activities happen there today?
  • What emotions do people associate with the place?

Observe the surroundings carefully and pay attention to the physical, cultural, social, and sensory characteristics that make the place unique.

45 minutes

  •  Notebook or paper
  • Pens
  • Camera or smartphone (optional).
Description

Record your observations by reflecting on each of the five guiding questions. Document examples, interesting details, personal reflections, and photographs that illustrate the identity and uniqueness of the place.

45 minutes.

  • Notebook or paper
  • Pens
Description

Gather as a group to discuss your observations and compare perspectives. Reflect on how geography, traditions, community life, memories, and emotions contribute to the identity of the place, and consider how these observations can support the further development of your Training Case.

30 minutes

  • Participants notes

Before and During the Activity

  • Select a location that is safe, accessible, and representative of the local community or the participants’ chosen Training Case.
  • Before the visit begins, remind participants to use the five guiding questions from the previous activity to structure their observations.
  • Encourage participants to observe the place carefully and engage with it using all their senses, while respecting the local community, cultural heritage, and natural environment.
  • Allow participants sufficient time to explore independently before facilitating group discussions and reflections.
  • Encourage participants to document their observations through notes and photographs where appropriate, focusing on elements that contribute to the identity of the place.

Additional Tips

  • Adapt the route and duration of the visit if needed
  • If an on-site visit is not possible, use photographs, videos, or virtual tours to guide participants through the selected place.
  • Remind participants that different people may experience the same place differently, and encourage respectful discussion of diverse perspectives.
  • Explain that the observations collected during the study visit will be revisited and expanded throughout the following modules.

The observations collected during this study visit form an important foundation for your Training Case. Use your notes, photographs, and reflections to enrich your understanding of the place and identify the elements that make it unique.

These observations will support your work in the following modules, where you will explore the area’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, identify key community stakeholders, examine opportunities for digital documentation, and progressively develop your final ICH-based tourism product.

Activity “Final Reflection”

10 minutes • Group Activity • Training Case

Conclude the module by reflecting on the key concepts explored and considering how they apply to your selected place and Training Case.

5-10 minutes

Take a moment to think about the following questions:

  • What makes your place unique?
  • What elements should be protected or passed on to future generations?

Record your reflections in your Training Case to support your work throughout the following modules.

Module Resources

This section contains all the supporting materials referenced in the “Materials Needed” section of each activity. As you progress through the module, you can access or download presentations, worksheets, templates, handouts, and additional resources to support your learning and the development of your Training Case.

Activity “Presentation-Sense of Place”

Download the presentation used in this module to review the key concepts of Sense of Place, identity, belonging, landscapes, memories, and local heritage.

Presentation-Sense of Place
Download Presentation
Explore other resources
📚 Case Studies & Best Practices- #ASenseofEU Digital Collection
Explore the Digital Collection
🌐 Community Stories & Heritage – #ASenseofEU Digital Collection:
Explore the Digital Collection
🌐 UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
UNESCO – Dive into Intangible Cultural Heritage

Continue Your Training Case

Before moving to the next module, review your notes and update your Training Case.

Record:

  • The characteristics that make your place unique.
  • The cultural, historical and natural elements connected to your place.
  • The memories, traditions and stories that contribute to its identity.
  • The aspects you believe should be preserved for future generations.
Continue to Module 3
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