How do urban Syrian refugees develop and evolve their feelings of place attachment and homemaking in their new location?

PurposeThis research aimed to explore and gain a deeper understanding of urban Syrian refugees’ inner perspectives, views, beliefs, meanings, experiences, emotions, values, and intentions of place attachment and placemaking within their new context in Al Mafraq City in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research used different methods to answer research questions: Literature review and semi-structured interviews based on the interview guide. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded line-by-line manually, and analyzed thematically.FindingsThis research found a crucial gender difference in the perception of place attachment, homesickness, and nostalgia. There were different perceptions and meanings about the home. Gardening and cultivating around houses in villages was a positive aspect of the Syrian refugees’ living environment. Refugees from rural areas preferred to reside in rural regions of a host country similar to their country of origin. The cultural materials, daily routines, and activities reminded the Syrian refugees of their homeland and affected place attachment. The Syrian refugees tried reconstructing some elements of places, homes, and socio-cultural traditions and values in their new cities. Cooking food and flying dishes improved the sense of place, strengthening social ties, maintaining traditions and cultural identity, and restoring intimacy, safety, and normality.Originality/valueThis research promotes positive outcomes for authorities, refugees, host communities, policymakers, and NGOs. It contributes to expanding, enriching, and encouraging the current and future research and debates on refugees’ place attachment, place-making, and belonging knowledge that may resolve the issues, mitigate the consequences of the displacement, and describe the strategies of adaptation and survival. The results of this socio-spatial qualitative research can improve, revise, develop future immigration and refugee policies, and may apply to other refugees groups worldwide.