ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that Web 2.0 social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram) are increasingly supporting people–place relationships, and it looks at what impact that is having in urban centers. A theoretical discussion of the concept of place and the relationships between people and place – defined through the concept of place attachment – helps us understand these links. The chapter describes different social media platforms that have had a meteoric rise in use and application, and then indicates how they support a positive people–place relationship. To illustrate these points, the chapter concludes with a major case study of how Twitter has been used to discuss, debate, and design urban parklets. Five smaller vignettes from around the world also indicate how social media is reinforcing strong people–place relationships and what that means for individuals and place managers.
