A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities
Fostering a sense of belonging plays a significant role in supporting refugee families’ integration into resettlement communities. The spatial dimensions within which refugees live and interact, such as homes, neighbourhoods, communities, and cities are influential in fostering belonging and support...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Wellbeing, Space and Society |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558125000338 |
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| author | Karen M. Frensch Bree Akesson |
| author_facet | Karen M. Frensch Bree Akesson |
| author_sort | Karen M. Frensch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fostering a sense of belonging plays a significant role in supporting refugee families’ integration into resettlement communities. The spatial dimensions within which refugees live and interact, such as homes, neighbourhoods, communities, and cities are influential in fostering belonging and supporting overall wellbeing. However, a socio-spatial perspective on belonging for refugees remains underdeveloped. To address this gap, we conducted an integrative knowledge synthesis of key sources from 2012 to 2022 contributing to the discourse on fostering refugee belonging via socio-spatial initiatives. Our aims were to highlight elements of belonging for refugee families that inherently embody the importance of place and to make recommendations for resettlement policy and practice. We focus on the size and socio-spatial characteristics of resettlement contexts to foster refugee families’ sense of belonging. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of belonging, notions of place, and integration can enhance resettlement processes and support the overall wellbeing of refugee families. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-23e3797df2ef4a9eaa1c4aa9c6fbad95 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-5581 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wellbeing, Space and Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-23e3797df2ef4a9eaa1c4aa9c6fbad952025-08-20T03:10:31ZengElsevierWellbeing, Space and Society2666-55812025-06-01810026710.1016/j.wss.2025.100267A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small citiesKaren M. Frensch0Bree Akesson1Global Adversity and Wellbeing Research Group, Wilfrid Laurier University, 73 George Street, Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2Y3, Canada; Corresponding author.Faculty of Social Work and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Global Adversity and Wellbeing, Wilfrid Laurier University, 73 George Street, Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2Y3, CanadaFostering a sense of belonging plays a significant role in supporting refugee families’ integration into resettlement communities. The spatial dimensions within which refugees live and interact, such as homes, neighbourhoods, communities, and cities are influential in fostering belonging and supporting overall wellbeing. However, a socio-spatial perspective on belonging for refugees remains underdeveloped. To address this gap, we conducted an integrative knowledge synthesis of key sources from 2012 to 2022 contributing to the discourse on fostering refugee belonging via socio-spatial initiatives. Our aims were to highlight elements of belonging for refugee families that inherently embody the importance of place and to make recommendations for resettlement policy and practice. We focus on the size and socio-spatial characteristics of resettlement contexts to foster refugee families’ sense of belonging. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of belonging, notions of place, and integration can enhance resettlement processes and support the overall wellbeing of refugee families.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558125000338ResettlementBelongingSocio-spatialRefugee familiesSmall cities |
| spellingShingle | Karen M. Frensch Bree Akesson A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities Wellbeing, Space and Society Resettlement Belonging Socio-spatial Refugee families Small cities |
| title | A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities |
| title_full | A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities |
| title_fullStr | A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities |
| title_full_unstemmed | A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities |
| title_short | A socio-spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in Canadian small cities |
| title_sort | socio spatial perspective on fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families resettled in canadian small cities |
| topic | Resettlement Belonging Socio-spatial Refugee families Small cities |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558125000338 |
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