A Study of Place Attachment to Mosques as an Evacuation Shelter Building

Abstract

The city of Banda Aceh has a geological location that is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. In 2004, the tsunami damaged the city structure, and many victims died. When the tsunami struck the area, a mosque was used as an evacuation building. Its scatter existence in residential areas made it easy to reach, but several mosques could not be used as an evacuation building. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of mosques as tsunami evacuation building through place attachment studies using qualitative methods and depth interviews to identify public attachment factors. To measure place attachment, this research used three variables, i.e. socio-demographic, environmental experience, and familiarity with the place. This study also used the space forming variables, which include meaning, function, and form to see the public attachment to a mosque as an evacuation shelter building. The results showed that place attachment to a mosque was influenced by its meaning as a sacred place. The majority of people in Banda Aceh are Muslim and have Islamic cultural backgrounds. People’s routine activities form strong bonds to a mosque. Acehnese culture to glorify guests is reflected in mosque building design by exploring open walls, ease of accessibility, and spread presence in residential areas. These cultural characteristics strengthen the opportunity to make mosques as tsunami evacuation shelter buildings in Banda Aceh.