{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.015037593984962405, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.549180327868853, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Insights from a Qualitative Study of Rural Communes: Physical and Social Dimensions of Place

Existing research on people–place dynamics often focuses on either physical environment or social dimensions, but many theoretical models posit that both factors are important. I argue that rural communes provide unique settings to explore both social and environmental aspects of place. Based on qualitative interview data with members of two communes, I address emotional connection to the land, changing social relationships over time, and the interplay of physical and social aspects of place. Results demonstrate how the connections to land and social ties are both prevalent. However, social interaction has decreased while commitment to sharing and protecting the physical environment has endured.