Village facilities and social place attachment in the rural Netherlands

Economies of scale and increased mobility have led to the closure of many village facilities. Most residents do not rely on locally available facilities anymore for their primary function. However, facilities are also meeting places. A decline in facilities may therefore negatively influence residents’ social place attachment. This paper examines which facilities impact residents’ social place attachment. Based on structural equation modelling, we conclude that in rural areas cafés and supermarkets may well matter for residents’ social attachment. In contrast to common expectations, community centers, primary schools, and sports facilities were not shown to enhance social place attachment. Considering the increasing self-reliance of local communities, the present findings raise doubts about the use of public services to revitalize local communities.