Sense of place is the human response to natural and built surroundings, geography, history and population. Over time, that response evolves into a shared consciousness, woven by memory, story and experience. Distinct from written history, the process stamps the soul of a community with an indelible and miraculous sense of place different from others and unique to itself. Analyzing this sense of place reveals the experiential and impressionistic qualities that give each destination its authentic identity.

Preserving sense of place is critical to sustainability and to the management of change that inevitably results from the external pressures placed on communities by the micro and macro economic demands inherent to resorts and second home destinations. In locations where development pressures and community interests compete, sense of place is most threatened because there are few tools of valuation, recognition, or management of this critical, if intangible component.