Defined by Ray Oldenburg in 1989, third spaces are social locations that are separate from either work/school and home that contribute to the health and wellbeing of communities. Think about it as a local coffee shop, library, or even barber shop. The key components are essentially: 

1. Open to the public as a neutral, no-invitation-needed place
2. Doesn’t require spending (lots of) money
3. Conversation is the primary (although not necessarily only) activity
4. It’s local: in a perfect world, you can walk there (although this has been debated – more on that later)

Their importance is due to the fact that these places revolve around informal social interaction and serve to connect people through conversations and meeting strangers. The history of a common meeting place stretches a long way back and includes French bistros and sidewalk cafes, Greek and Japanese bathhouses, English coffeehouses, and countless others. 

However, as society has become more consumer-oriented and cities have become increasingly less walkable, finding genuine third spaces has gotten difficult. Nowadays, it seems like every local business has been replaced by a chain brand, and even the good spots are often only accessible by car. 

After looking at places across the United States, it makes sense why people are yearning for walkable cities. Nothing makes a place feel more soulless than 5 lane highways, tiny sidewalks, and the only destinations being Walmarts and chain gas stations. The rise of car culture is directly tied to the downfall of third spaces; drive-thrus and pick-up orders have ruined the sanctity of local cafes and restaurants. Since local cafes and restaurants emphasize social interaction more than consumption, large companies are deterred from this due to their prioritization of profits over their consumer base, which explains why drive-thru culture has been able to thrive. Additionally, COVID-19 had a big impact on people’s ability to go outside and engage with their community, which is another factor that explains the decrease in third spaces.

While physical third spaces have struggled, a new brand of third spaces have emerged in the era of the internet: digital communities. Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and online chatrooms have provided a place for people to connect with likeminded people without a focus on profits or spending money. However, after living through the effects of the pandemic, it’s apparent that online friendships cannot fully replace in-person social connections. 

Evidently, third spaces are important aspects of having a strong and connected community. After seeing the impact that they have on society, it’s not hard to see why people – and cities- are latching onto the concept of the third space.