Neighbourhood associations may promote belonging, but for whom?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Much has been written about how neighbourhoods provide a context for socially supportive relationships that contribute to belonging. Within neighbourhoods, people can find close-to-home sources of social support and connection. Neighbourhood associations (NAs) are common forms of mobilization through which neighbours work toward neighbourhood improvement. This study explored perceptions of NA leaders within a mid-sized Canadian city regarding the functions of their NAs. A particular focus of the study was on ways NA-organized recreation and leisure initiatives may promote a sense of belonging among neighbours. Findings suggest NA leaders describe belonging in terms of mutually supportive relationships as well as comfort and fit. Findings also suggest that while promoting belonging is an explicit goal of NAs, other NA goals may complicate the realization of neighbourhood belonging. For example, while NA initiatives include neighbourhood-wide leisure events geared toward enhancing belonging, these events often exclusively target toward young families and encompass traditional Christian settler-colonial themes and values. There is minimal effort to involve or connect people of different ages, racial identities, and cultural backgrounds. We discuss the implications these findings can have on the sense of belonging and politics of belonging within neighbourhoods.