Table 1.

A conceptual theoretical framework of neighbourhood social cohesion

Factors of neighbourhood social cohesion	Definition of factor	Illustrative quote from workshop
Relationships	Positive relationships with peers in a local area,25 which consists of the extent of positive intergroup relationships and the processes that form these,26 as well as an abundance of relationships crossing social divides9	‘When I was really struggling and walking around saying hi to people and getting a hi back can make your day … ’
Safety	Perceived safety and neighbours facilitating safety.4 Includes social order upheld by the absence of violence and crime and acceptance of diversity and tolerance toward minorities27Also includes an absence of social conflict (i.e. polarisation, racial/ethnic tensions) and the neighbourhood is free from the (direct) exposure to violence (witness or threat)9	‘There isn't any place where you feel like you shouldn't go, you can't go down that alleyway because you're not the right race or culture or gender’
Belonging	Rootedness, a sense of place and belonging28Connectedness, including a feeling of belonging and identification with an area as an important aspect of personal identity27	‘It is really damaging for your mental health if you are really stressed and anxious about what's going on around where you live … ’
Social support	Perceived social support, includes social responsibility and solidarity27Trust, help, norms of reciprocity and cooperation9,29	‘We need that mutual trust to start anything within the community … ’‘To know that there are people that are looking out for you’
Shared values	Shared values to identify and achieve joint goals and objectives27There is a set of common attitudes and norms29	‘To see the community come together [..] and see them make decisions about where we live’
The (built)environment	Indirect aspects of neighbourhood social cohesion related to the physical and social environment Neighbourhoods shaped by physical environment (i.e. bicycle lanes) and urban planning decisions11 Presence of institutions of conflict management9	‘Community spaces where you can socialise with the community … it's really helpful when you're going through tough times … ’
Influence and participation	Political and socio-political participation27 The power of member and community to affect each other30	‘Looking out for your neighbours’ ‘Everyone's parents would look out for the kids even they weren't theirs’