How does tap water contribute to sense of place in Finland? A study of residents' lived experiences

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore how Finnish residents’ lived experiences of drinking tap water contribute to place meaning in Finland. Finland’s tap water is globally one of the cleanest, with people being able to drink directly from the tap. However, there are many countries where tap water is undrinkable for various reasons.

The literature review addresses problems with the widely practiced top-down place branding method and introduces studies that emphasize the importance of stakeholder involvement through co-creation in destination branding. Nine semi-structured in-depth interviews are conducted to explore how residents of Finland experience tap water. Specifically, two types of residents: Finnish people and foreigners living in Finland.

The main goal of this research is to assess the potential role of tap water in contributing to a sense of place. This in-depth study includes diverse experiences, values, social & cultural interactions, and concerns with drinking tap water. Data from interviews are analyzed into seven themes: Notion of home, Trust, Impact, Place, Meaning, Taste and Sustainability. In the findings, local experiences are discussed, and non-Finnish participants act as both cultural insiders and outsiders, who have perspectives that can identify the uniqueness of tap water in Finland that differentiates from other places. I suggest this grassroots method to identify the essence of a place and to support the sustainable and collaborative development of the place brand story.