宗教勝地地方感之研究—以苗栗獅頭山為例

Abstract

地理學者強調「地方」的理念，特別是從人文主義地理學以降，從地方感的面向來探討人與環境之間互動的關係。其論點在後來雖亦有結構化及漸進式地方感的重新詮釋，但也在地理學發展中扮演重要的角色。所謂地方感不但強調個人的經驗與日常生活外，亦強調其所處的地理環境、文化脈絡、人際關係及社會結構之下，影響其對於外在世界的感受，以及日常生活的行為。基於上述的觀點，本研究以台灣苗栗與新竹交界之獅頭山為例，討論其做為台灣重要之宗教觀光景點，在地居民對於觀光發展過程中地方感如何呈現。研究方法則以質性研究法為主，透過深入訪談與參與觀察實地記錄居民的日常生活與地方認知。研究發現與結論如下：第一，在共同的地方經驗上，宗教勝地給予居民一種「超俗」的環境感受；第二，不同區域的群體、生活場域造成居民的地方感有其差異性；第三，地方感的差異也使得居民對未來地方發展有不同之態度。

Geographers emphasize the concept of 'place', and discuss the interaction of human-environment relationship from the viewpoint of 'sense of place'. Although there were some arguments of this viewpoint, it still plays an important role in the development of geography. Sense of place means the subjective attitude toward environment, and this attitude combines personal experience and daily life. It also involves environment, cultural context, and social relationship, which together affect the perception toward the outside world. This research uses the case of the Lion's Head Mountain located between Hsinchu and Miaoli, to investigate the local residents' sense of place in the process of tourism development. This research uses the qualitative method, with in-depth interview and participant observation to record the residents' daily life and sense of place. The three research findings and conclusions are as follows: First, Lion's Head Mountain connotes a 'sacred space' shared by local residents. Second, the sense of place differs among different social groups and living areas. Third, differences in sense of place influence attitudes of residents toward the development of place.