The Death of Third Places and the Evolution of Communities
Third places were like the glue that held communities together, but as they fade away, new forms of connection are emerging.
A “home away from home,” where people feel comfortable and at ease, is often associated with the concept of “third places,” coined by Sociologist Ray Oldenburg. These places are social spaces separate from home and work that serve as gathering places for people to relax and connect with others.
A place where you can pop in and out with little or no money; as a result, social hierarchy is left at the door, and all are equal, allowing for unexpected but delightful professional mingling— a CEO and a street performer can be seen chatting over drinks, while a fashion designer and a mechanic share a laugh at the bar.
The concept of third places has been around for centuries, evolving and changing through various eras. Anthropologists view public spaces such as plazas, markets, and other gathering places as opportunities for people to socialize, conduct business, and exchange ideas. These spaces also express cultural norms and values and shape a community’s sense of identity and shared history.
Recent history links the idea of third places to the development of modern coffeehouses. Coffeehouses became popular in Europe as places for intellectuals and socialites to gather, exchange ideas, and discuss current events in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the 20th century, sociologist Ray Oldenburg developed the concept of “third places” to describe the vital roles of these spaces in fostering a sense of community and social connectedness — describing it as the anchor of our community.
In recent years third places have taken many forms, like cafes, clubs, bars, libraries, churches, parks, plazas, barber shops, and other spaces that serve as gathering places for people to relax, socialize, and connect with others. These spaces continue to play a vital role in promoting community and belonging in our increasingly fast-paced and individualistic society.
DISRUPTIVE EVOLUTION OF THIRD PLACES IN THE 21st CENTURY
Loneliness has become a significant concern in modern society, with many individuals feeling alienated and separated from others. We have enormous screens with streaming movies, and we can deliver to our homes at any moment using our cell phones.
If we can get all these from the comfort of our couches, why do we need to get out to meet strangers?
According to a recent survey, half of all Americans are lonely. In the United Kingdom, 40% of individuals say their major source of companionship is either a pet or television. Although technological improvements appear fantastic, they have resulted in an epidemic of loneliness.
So what, you could be asking? A person’s life might be cut short by 15 years if lonely. Short-term sleep issues, drug usage issues, and difficulties with depression are more prevalent among lonely persons. An increased chance of heart attack, stroke, and cancer are among the more negative health effects. Even more intriguing is that the most significant reported rates of loneliness are among Generation Z and Millennials. Woolah!!! The generation of the internet
The development of technology and the spread of online communities have facilitated online communication. However, technology has also played a role in reducing face-to-face social connections.
A lack of “third places” to socialize has caused dissatisfaction among many people. By giving individuals a space to congregate, form relationships with others, and foster a feeling of belonging and community, third places have significantly contributed to the fight against loneliness and the promotion of mental and physical well-being.
There has been a steady decline for decades, with dropping club memberships, church attendance and other forms of social participation — Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone.
Although, the causes behind this trend are complex and do not only have to do with technology. Polarization, institutional distrust, and the splintering of Christianity as our culture’s default religion. That said, it’s also perpetuated mainly by car-dependent suburban sprawl. Big and small cities used to have densely populated downtowns where people experienced chance encounters and supported local businesses with foot traffic.
Euclidean zoning separated the suburban living from commercial areas, which led to the gradual decline of such regions. Large corporations subsequently filled the hole by creating malls, which served as the new town square and were controlled by private enterprises.
However, when internet shopping took hold, they also started dying. As a result, we only have a few venues to assemble outside big cities. The third locations currently found in most suburbs are car-dependent convenience chains like Starbucks or lifestyle centers in certain wealthy regions, all of which are just consumer-centric companies designed after how mobile we have become.
THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW THIRD PLACE
The pandemic and social distancing were the latest threat to the ongoing viability of third places, and now ubiquitous video conferencing threatens to accelerate the decline of these physical spaces.
Technological breakthroughs have significantly changed how people interact with their communities and use third places. The advances in video conferencing, e-gaming and virtual reality have made it increasingly difficult to encourage people to leave their homes and gather at libraries, parks, or even bars.
Unlike video chats, third places offer a degree of low-risk randomness — entrants don’t know beforehand who will be present or what the discussion will be. Still, they can open up to one another in a setting in which they feel comfortable.
Society still needs physical third places where random conversations can lead to discovering new perspectives and uncovering commonalities among strangers. Therefore, the impact of technology on the role of third places should not be viewed as a complete replacement but instead as an enhancement that should be used in harmony with traditional physical spaces.
It’s undeniable that technology has changed the way we view the community. Still, nothing can replace the need for organic personal connections that we get from third places. Without walkable communities, third places Can’t thrive, and without third places, we lose the heart of our communities.
REVIVING THIRD PLACES SHOULD START WITH URBAN PLANNING
As well as disruption, the pandemic has also presented opportunities to develop new third places. Should we redefine community? Should we find common ground between virtual communication and in-person communication?
Changes to zoning laws that promote walkable, mixed-use main streets and town centers are some of the answers that suburban and mid-sized city leaders may implement. It is reasonable to adopt a municipal ordinance that relaxes the minimum parking and setback standards. A form-based code that controls building design rather than usage may be adopted by more ambitious communities, as Buffalo and Hartford did a few years ago.
The world economic forum mentioned Paris is planning to become a 15-minute city where everything you need is within a 15-minute radius on foot or bike. Although the primary aim is to cut car use resulting in fewer CO2 Emissions and cleaner air, it will also present more urban life.
This concept aims to nurture urban dwellers’ local pride — Amour des Lieux. Paris isn’t the first to adopt this hyper-local model, as Melbourne is also testing a 20-minutes neighborhood. Milan is also running a 15- minutes pilot in the Lazzaretto area. The pandemic has led many cities to rethink design, as people will start keeping to their local area.
This concept was developed by Sorbonne Professor Carlos Moreno based on work by Jane Jacobs, who thought a neighborhood wasn’t just about buildings but social networks too. Some critics say hyper-localism could inhibit the cluster effect often cited as key to the success of cities whereby specialists and their competitors work nearby, leading to faster innovation.
Remember when hanging out with friends meant being in the same physical space instead of a Zoom call? When grabbing coffee didn’t mean imagining the smell of freshly brewed beans as you sip from your instant Nescafé? What about those cinema nights we used to share, not movie marathons on Netflix but spontaneous trips to our local theater to experience something new and exciting together?
Ahh, good times! Well, friends, it’s time for us to end digital-only socializing and rekindle the real-life connections fundamental to our mental well-being. Let’s reintroduce Third Places into our lives — places where we can come together, hang out, and create unforgettable memories without worrying about battery levels or bad phone receptions!
But how do you get one? Check back in because next time, I’ll tell you how to find the right third place for you — or how to create one if it doesn’t exist yet.
