Place Attachment and Mobility in the Context of Tiny Houses: A Generational Analysis in Türkiye

This article examines the concepts of place attachment and mobility in the context of the tiny house movement in Türkiye from a generational perspective. This study compares the level of place attachment and the preference for tiny houses between Gen Y (born between 1980 and 1999) and Gen Z (born after 2000). The literature highlights the fact that rising housing costs, environmental concerns, and changing living standards have paved the way for the tiny house movement. This study argues that there is an inverse relationship between the mobility offered by tiny houses and traditional place attachment. Using Lewicka’s place attachment scale, the research measured participants’ attachments at both the neighborhood and city levels while also analyzing demographic variables such as homeownership, income, and education. The findings reveal that Gen Y exhibits higher levels of place attachment at both neighborhood and city scales. In contrast, Gen Z shows a greater interest in tiny houses due to their more mobile lifestyle. Additionally, individuals who are unfamiliar with the tiny house concept tend to have stronger place attachment, a factor that influences their housing preferences. Based on these findings, this article provides policy recommendations—such as clarifying legal regulations, offering financial incentives, and improving infrastructure—to support the expansion of the tiny house movement in Turkey.

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