FORMER REFUGEES' THERAPEUTIC LANDSCAPES IN DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND

Authors

  • Olivia Sage Swain Eyles University of Otago
  • Christina Rebekka Ergler University of Otago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id456

Keywords:

Therapeutic landscapes, Refugees, Place, Nature, Health, Wellbeing

Abstract

During resettlement in a new environment Former Refugees often face challenges for their physical, social and mental health and wellbeing such as past trauma, language and cultural differences. This article uses the therapeutic landscapes concept to explore how the physical, symbolic and social aspects of outdoor places in Dunedin, New Zealand, such as the beach and urban green spaces contribute to former refugees’ wellbeing during the resettlement process. 15 former Syrian refugees (from 4 families) participated in group interviews and at times shared photographs to illustrate what outdoor places they enjoyed and were therapeutic for them. This article argues that participants had diverse therapeutic landscapes that ranged from pristine scenic spots to everyday places such as the local park, but to enjoy and utilise the therapeutic values of these places more attention needs to be paid to access barriers.

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Published

22-12-2020

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright © in this published form is held by Sites: New Series, Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa New Zealand, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Individual readers and non-profit libraries acting for them, are permitted to print or download a single copy of an article without charge for use in research or teaching. Permitted use includes providing a link to an article, or hosting a PDF article in online Learning Management Systems or E-Reserve Systems for authorised users. A single article may be used in print or online Course Packs. Interlibrary loan is permitted. New Zealand Copyright Law and Copyright Licensing New Zealand Education Licence provisions apply. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution, for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works or for resale. For such uses, written permission is required. Write to the Editor: sites@otago.ac.nz

How to Cite

FORMER REFUGEES’ THERAPEUTIC LANDSCAPES IN DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND. (2020). Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id456