LAUSR

Abstract How do spatial navigation and place imageability illuminate our understanding of sense of place in urban neighborhoods? Rather than rely on their place memories, the present study asked community residents to think about their neighborhood in situ. A stronger sense of place was experienced for areas of their neighborhood with greater place imageability. The residents employed more allocentric spatial navigation strategies when they mentally navigated areas that differed in place imageability compared to egocentric strategies. As predicted, paths and edges were noted more often while residents mentally navigated areas with greater or moderate place imageability than lesser place imageability. Meaningful associations were found between sense of place, allocentric strategy use, and the length of time participants had experienced different areas of the neighborhood. Social scientists and city planners may benefit from these results as they consider local place imageability in relation to residents' typical navigation strategies and attachment to their urban communities.