Place attachment of earthquake victims residing in Hatay after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6, 2023

Place attachment is defined as the sense of belonging and emotional connection individuals feel toward the place they live. Understanding how this attachment is shaped in the aftermath of disasters has emerged as a significant area of research. People residing in cities affected by earthquakes economically, environmentally, and physically may be reluctant to move to safer and more comfortable locations for various reasons. Investigating the factors that influence people's place attachment after devastating earthquakes will enable the creation of sustainable societies and cultures. This study examines the impact of earthquake experience, preparedness, sustainability, social support, security, exorbitant prices, city satisfaction, self-efficacy, and risk perception on place attachment among earthquake victims in Hatay following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Data were collected via surveys from 453 earthquake victims in the Antakya region of Hatay province one year after the earthquakes. Eleven ordered logistic regressions were used to reveal the strength and direction of the factors affecting place attachment. Consequently, place attachment was higher among those injured by the earthquakes, those whose relatives died, those who did not evacuate, and those who were not disturbed by the debris removal. Considering Hatay's sustainability and satisfaction with the city increase the place attachment of earthquake victims. Furthermore, place attachment was higher among women, those who lived longer in Antakya, and those who received social support from relatives. This study is expected to guide managers, disaster experts, and non-governmental organizations who develop strategies to increase people's place attachment in disaster-affected regions.