The Importance of Third Spaces

9 minutes ago
5 min read

By: Anisa Chandra

Where do you spend the majority of your time? For many of us, we have what psychologists call a ‘first space’ and a ‘second space’ — the two places where we spend most of our time. Oftentimes, our first space is our home, or place of residence, while our second space is where we work. But with this framework comes the question of third spaces: places where we’re able to create community and feel accepted, but are neither at home nor at work (take, for example, a coffee shop). First coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenberg, the term ‘third places’, otherwise known as ‘third spaces’ (as I’ll refer to them in this article), describes places where “you might go to hang out with your friends, you might run into acquaintances by chance, or you might meet people you have never encountered before”. These spaces include parks, coffee shops, libraries, gyms, temples, and churches, as well as a variety of other community-focused places that differ around the world. Third spaces are essential because they strengthen community bonds, improve well-being, expand identity beyond productivity, and preserve democratic social life. But as we watch them disappear due to economic pressures and busy lifestyles, how can we work to preserve them?

We all know now that third spaces exist — but why are they important? Their value can be organized into three categories: counteracting isolation, creating identity outside productivity, and creating stable social communities. To begin, third spaces allow us to form bonds with other people without feeling an obligation to discuss a certain topic or even remain in contact with them. According to author Reema Chande, third spaces act as sacred spaces for self-care by allowing individuals to practice structured relaxation. This contrasts heavily with the structured productivity of one’s day job, or even the constant hustle and bustle that may occur in one’s home. The idea of interacting with others outside of a daily 9-5 provides other benefits than simply counteracting isolation, with the best example being the formation of identity outside of productivity. Whether you’re in school or not, chances are that most of our identities in our second space are shaped by how much we produce: whether that’s code, soup cans, or completed math worksheets. Third spaces allow others to know you through other things — a sport, a hobby, or even a coffee order. But third, these spaces create stabilizing communities that foster shared rituals and a family-like environment. Everyone knows that Central Park is a thriving community full of people from all walks of life enjoying the outdoors in many different ways — but we only know that because New Yorkers are willing to get out of the house and create that third space. Additionally, most city neighborhoods have local bodegas or playgrounds that adults and children alike can count on to greet a friendly face, but those relationships only center around those spaces because of the families that have spent years frequenting them. Third spaces provide crucial opportunities for forming connections, giving us an identity outside of our daily 9-5s, and creating neighborhood communities. But if they’re so important, why are there fewer of them now than ever?

The decline of third spaces can be attributed to two key reasons, with the first being heavy economic pressures. This is something no one is a stranger to, but it’s important to remember that it’s often the free or low-cost spaces that become third spaces for many people, which are hit the hardest. Research from the National Institute of Health showed that since 2012, the number of libraries, stores, and other community spaces has declined heavily. Due to gains in online shopping, retail spaces are being overloaded with debt and rising rents, leading to an increase in pay-to-enter spaces. Pay-to-enter spaces present exclusivity that many Americans can’t afford, especially as even things like coffee shops and cafes go from bi-weekly traditions to monthly adventures. It’s not just economic pressures, though; overscheduled lifestyles ensure that most people don’t have the time to enjoy third spaces. Author Tina Murtagh of The Honor Society found that over the last several decades, there’s been a shift in how people spend their leisure time. The inventions of email and remote work ensure that most Americans simply can’t stop thinking about work, making the idea of doing a leisure activity instead of productively answering an email seem absurd.

The closing of bodegas, coffee shops, and libraries clearly demonstrates the decline in crucial third spaces — but what does this mean for the American public? The most obvious is a decline in not only mental health, but physical health as well. The National Institute of Health proves this, and further adds that “residents are losing access to key services, goods, amenities, and recreational leisure facilities; and spaces to socialize, connect, play, and care”. This particularly affects older adults, children, and the chronically ill, as these are the people who barely even have a second space to themselves and rely on their third space for community and connection. Additionally, many third spaces center around physical activities — gyms, soccer fields, and recreation centers, for example — and as they close down, America falls further into an epidemic of obesity and overall poor health. It’s not just health that relies on third spaces, though; as we lose third spaces, we lose what social harmony we have left. Due to the definition of third spaces including easy access, they often become spaces where people from all walks of life listen to each other's stories, and meet people they would otherwise never interact with. The decline of these spaces fosters an environment where minority groups feel separated, and social unrest thrives. Furthermore, what few third spaces that remain often center around the spending of money in contrast to the creation of a community, meaning that third spaces are becoming increasingly for only those who can afford to buy a $7 coffee every morning.

So how do we, as the American public, reclaim and rebuild these third spaces? Well, this complicated task can be completed on both an individual and a community level. Individually, take time to spend time with others outside of your first and second spaces. One of the best ways to do this is to frequent a local small business, including farmers' markets or a yoga studio. Not only does your support allow small businesses to continue thriving through increased foot traffic and revenue, but it also allows you to build community with a group of people you share an interest with. However, it’s also up to corporations, and even the government, to invest in things such as public libraries, parks, and other free spaces. To an extent, even public transport can become a third space — especially if your daily commute involves the same group of people. But creating a true third space involves more than just transforming land: it involves the creation of places that are designed for inclusivity. According to the American Planning Association, the mood of a third space should be playful. For example, if a group of older men plays chess at a park every evening, adding more tables and even games of chess on top of them means that others could feel more comfortable joining them. By designing spaces that promote lingering, corporations and governments can create third spaces that truly benefit consumers. To conclude, third spaces foster community and connection between people who would otherwise never interact. They benefit both physical and mental health, and reduce social barriers and stigmas regarding minority groups. And so I’d like to encourage you to make your local gym, coffee shop, or bodega your third space. Make a difference in your own life through daily conversations and the formation of a larger community, and hey, help someone else in the process.

References:

3.21.2026

The Importance of Third Spaces

Recent Posts

Comments