While urban planning often focuses on the development of big cities or rural areas, it rarely focuses on the place in between – small-town municipalities. This dissertation subsequently seeks to fill the gap in the existing litterateur by examining the impact of the strategic efforts concerning cultural heritage by Danish small-town municipalities on settlement patterns and place attachment. The research is based on planning documents, interviews with residents, and existing litterateur on urban development. The data collected is analyzed through Lefebvre’s space triad theory, strengthened by theories on placemaking, place attachment, and sense of place. The research showed that cultural heritage can highlight the distinctive character of places, and thereby be the framework for a common identity for the residents of the local area, as it contributes to unique functions and narratives. The intangible cultural heritage (e.g.,
tales, traditions, stories) was crucial to the resident’s place identity and place meaning. Our results also suggest that the natural environment (e.g., forest, water, and hilly landscape) is a decisive factor in the settlement choice, while the built environment (e.g., half-timbered, and industrial buildings) makes places interesting and attractive. In addition, the social life (e.g., family, neighborhoods, and associations) is a part of the explanation for why and how residents find their local area compelling and welcoming.