Where do you go to gather? This week we're diving into the idea of “third places”—those everyday gathering spots that create space for connection, conversation, and community.
We start by reflecting on where we used to hang out as kids (baseball fields or malls, anyone?), then explore the sociological roots of the term coined by Ray Oldenburg. Third places—like libraries, parks, and coffee shops—are neutral, welcoming, and unstructured, offering room to just be with others. They're not just nice-to-haves; they're vital for emotional health, belonging, and the social glue that holds communities together.
We share stories of some of our favorite third spaces—from stroller walks in the mall to thermal baths in Hungary—and ask why these spaces seem to be disappearing... and why we need them more than ever.
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"Third Places, True Citizen Spaces" in the UNESCO Courier, 22 March 2023
Finlay J, Esposito M, Kim MH, Gomez-Lopez I, Clarke P. Closure of 'third places'? Exploring potential consequences for collective health and wellbeing. Health Place. 2019 Nov;60:102225. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102225. Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31622919; PMCID: PMC6934089.
Sones M, Holden M, Kestens Y, King AC, Rennie M, Winters M. (Dis)connected by design? Using participatory citizen science to uncover environmental determinants of social connectedness for youth in under-resourced neighbourhoods. BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 11;24(1):3104. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20597-4. PMID: 39529084; PMCID: PMC11552136.
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