This paper explores the relationship between place-making, well-being and settlement among recently arrived youth with refugee backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. Drawing on qualitative data including photo-novellas and neighborhood drawings, we describe the ways youth negotiate connections to place in early resettlement. Within the context of broader research on health and place, we describe how recently arrived youth actively seek out places with qualities associated with restoration and recovery and through these engagements, work to create therapeutic landscapes on arrival. The findings have implications for understanding the contribution of place-making to well-being in the settlement process. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

youth Settlement Refugees Therapeutic Landscapes Well-being

educational status refugee Australia place preference Australasia healing conflict human wellbeing Health Behavior violence priority journal social interaction health school child racism Adolescent male Melbourne Victoria [Australia] female safety landscape peer group Article social adaptation adult migration research recreation human settlement Child