This work aims at giving an answer to the question about perception, knowledge and environmental valuation in a student population of Universidad del Valle, Melendez Campus (Cali-Colombia) in relation to the very question and its influence on responsible ecological behavior. An exploratory study was carried out, which combined quantitative methodological strategies (surveys) and qualitative ones (observations, situational interviews, focal groups, and graphics of cognitive maps). Results show that the Central Library is an important site: it is the most known place, and is perceived as the one receiving more maintenance by students and the most valued by them. Bajos de Ciencias is another well known place but it is considered the second worst maintained in campus. Nevertheless, it is positively valued by the sample population. The criteria used to determine whether a place has a good or bad maintenance are mainly sense of belonging and the maintenance given to it. They are related to the criteria used to value the campus sites. This, however, do not fulfill the requirements to satisfy ognitive and socio-affective needs, by which Universidad del Valle is considered a development context. As a conclusion, the physical characteristics of a place do not facilitate the adaptation proposed by Holahan; but rather the social ones