The concept of place affiliation is used to explain the origin of psychological attachments to particular places. It is argued that the psychological connotations of a 'sense of place' an a vestige of the survival function of affijiative ties to familiar people and places. These ties characterise a wide variety of animal species. Insight into the role of place affiliation has been provided in recent studies. These a14 the contribution the concept could- make to future research are discussed. Finally the degree to which architects can promote place affiliation through their design of physical spaces is considered.