Eleanor Finch
In the field of education, the concept of third space is integral to creating inclusive and transformative learning environments. Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, The Great Good Place, the third space refers to social surroundings separate from home and the workplace. These spaces, such as cafes, parks, and community centers, foster civic engagement, social interaction, and a sense of belonging. In higher education, third spaces become safe havens for marginalized groups, allowing them to find liberation from oppressive norms and a sense of community. They also facilitate the development of soft skills and academic confidence among students, impacting their overall growth and success. The idea of third spaces extends beyond physical locations, with virtual third spaces emerging in online communities and gaming platforms, offering connection and moderation in the digital realm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Separate from the two usual social environments of home and workplace | Churches, cafes, bars, clubs, libraries, gyms, bookstores, parks, theatres, etc. |
| Provides a sense of community | Social interaction, civic engagement, affirmation of identity, empathy for others |
| Informal | Relaxed, no obligations |
| Safe | No judgement, a place to show up at your worst |
| Accessible | Within walking distance, no entry ticket |
| Allows self-expression | Enables broader participation in the construction of norms and practices |
| Supportive | Provides support and connection |
| Provides solitude without loneliness | A place to be alone but not lonely |
| Adds vibrancy to the community | Brings people together |
| Provides a sense of ownership | Reinforces the individual as part of a community |
| Provides escape | A break from the immediate urgencies of work or home life |
| Provides connection | Helps people meet and connect |
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What You'll Learn
Third spaces in sociology
In sociology, the "third place" refers to social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). The concept was first introduced by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, *The Great Good Place*. Oldenburg argues that people need engagement in these three realms to live a balanced and happy life.
Third places are essential for democracy, civic engagement, and a sense of community and belonging. They are informal public settings that offer connection, sociability, and the opportunity for individuals to affirm their identities while building empathy for those different from themselves. Examples of third places include churches, cafes, bars, clubs, libraries, gyms, bookstores, parks, and theatres, among others.
The concept of the "third place" has been adopted by various small businesses, with some locally-owned coffee shops adopting the term as part of their name. The idea has also been applied in urban planning, with efforts to reinvigorate metropolitan neighbourhoods by creating third places, especially public spaces, to break down social silos. For instance, in downtown Washington, D.C., office workers can reserve tables and chairs in a park to meet and socialise.
With the advent of the internet and online communities, the concept of third places has also shifted to the virtual world. Online gaming communities, social media platforms, and virtual meeting spaces have become virtual third places where individuals can connect and interact with others outside their usual social environments.
Overall, third spaces in sociology are important for fostering social connections, building communities, and promoting civic engagement and democracy. They provide a sense of belonging and allow individuals to affirm their identities while developing empathy for others.
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Third spaces in urban geography
The concept of "third spaces" in urban geography is influenced by the work of scholars such as Homi K. Bhabha and Edward Soja, who have explored the idea of spaces that exist beyond the traditional dichotomy of "first" and "second" spaces, such as home and work. In the context of urban geography, third spaces refer to public spaces that serve as social gathering places, promote interaction and community-building, and offer a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Understanding Third Spaces
Third spaces are social surroundings that exist outside of the typical "first" and "second" spaces of home and work. The concept was popularised by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his book "The Great Good Place" (1989). Oldenburg argues that third spaces are essential for democracy, civic engagement, and fostering a sense of community. These spaces allow individuals to connect with others, build relationships, and affirm their identities while also developing empathy for those from different backgrounds.
Examples of Third Spaces
Third spaces can include a variety of physical locations, such as cafes, coffee shops, bars, libraries, parks, community centres, and even virtual spaces like online chat rooms and social media platforms. For example, the Ancient Greeks' agora, or public squares, served as marketplaces, spaces for political debate, and gathering places for people from all walks of life. Similarly, coffee shops and bars in modern times serve as meet-up spots, venues for performances, and informal offices.
Design and Function of Third Spaces
The design of third spaces is intentional, aiming to encourage social interaction and create a sense of community. This can include mixed-use functions in residential areas, convenient transportation options, and the provision of free Wi-Fi. For instance, the incorporation of "maker spaces" in libraries, where individuals can engage in art, crafts, and lectures, blurs the traditional boundaries of spaces and their purposes.
Impact and Benefits of Third Spaces
Third spaces have been linked to improved mental health and well-being, providing opportunities for social connections and the development of diverse social networks. They can also offer equity benefits, such as the Times Square Recharge Station, which provides services to individuals facing homelessness. Additionally, third spaces can contribute to community stabilisation and the reduction of social problems by providing spaces for people to connect and support each other.
In conclusion, third spaces in urban geography are diverse public spaces that facilitate social interaction, build communities, and offer a range of social and economic benefits to their patrons. They play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity, improving mental health, and fostering a sense of belonging in urban environments.
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Third spaces in postcolonial criticism
Third Space Theory is a postcolonial sociolinguistic theory of identity and community realized through language. It is attributed to Homi K. Bhabha, who defines it as a creative space that lies between the discourse or position of the ruling subject and the discourse or position of the subaltern subject. This space is never self-sufficient, as there is always a gap between the statement and its expression. Bhabha argues that this understanding of the Third Space reveals the untenability of claims concerning the purity or originality of cultures.
In the context of postcolonial criticism, the Third Space represents the potential location and starting point for postcolonial translation strategies. It is a space where cultures encounter each other and meanings are "remixed", resulting in a form of fragile syncretism and acculturation. This challenges traditional concepts of "original" and "translation", as well as the dichotomy of "foreignizing" versus "domesticating".
Doris Bachmann-Medick builds on this idea, proposing that culture is already itself translation. This new paradigm emphasizes the negotiation in the constitution and assertion of cultures, as well as the problematic search for cultural commensurability. The Third Space, therefore, becomes a site of hybridity, where the unequal and uneven forces of cultural representation are negotiated.
Additionally, Third Space Theory has been applied to various contexts, such as the prespace where children learn to read, blending domestic and school literacy practices. It has also been used to describe the subset of staff in higher education who work across professional, administrative, and academic spheres, providing expert advice on learning and teaching.
In conclusion, Third Space Theory in postcolonial criticism offers a framework for understanding cultural encounters, translation, and the creation of hybrid identities. It challenges binary thinking and exclusionary practices, providing a space for collaborative meaning-making and the humanization of individuals and organizations.
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Third spaces in urban planning
The "third place", a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, *The Great Good Place*, refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). Third spaces are important for democracy, civic engagement, and a sense of place and community.
In the context of urban planning, third spaces are vital in strengthening our sense of community and can take the form of public spaces such as parks, recreation centres, and fast-food restaurants. They can also be indoor spaces like libraries, which have increasingly incorporated "maker spaces" where people can work on art or craft projects, take classes, listen to lectures, or watch performances.
Urban planners can take several steps to create more hospitable conditions for third spaces to develop and thrive. These include ensuring that zoning accommodates mixed-use functions in otherwise residential areas, providing free Wi-Fi in public spaces, and retrofitting public places to explore new architecture and use of space. Small design changes can encourage interaction between groups that might otherwise be cut off from each other. For example, Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., has launched a "DeafSpace" initiative to design more inclusive spaces for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Third spaces can also provide equity benefits to communities. For instance, the Times Square Recharge Station in New York City is a small cart where anyone can stop by to charge their phone or get a free coffee. This project links people facing unstable housing or homelessness with service providers.
However, it is important to note that the design of third spaces can either encourage or discourage their use. For instance, while coffee shops and bars are common third spaces, the requirement to purchase a drink or snack may prevent some people from regularly using these spots. Additionally, antiloitering and trespass laws can prohibit equitable access to third spaces, often targeting people of colour and those with disabilities. Therefore, it is crucial for local governments to take action to break down structural and historical barriers that create inequitable access to these important social spaces.
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Third spaces in the virtual world
The concept of a "third space" has been explored by sociologists and educators, and it refers to a place or environment that exists outside of the typical social contexts of home and work. In the virtual world, third spaces can be observed in online communities, multiplayer video games, and other digital platforms that bring people together. These virtual third spaces offer unique opportunities for connection, collaboration, and identity exploration.
One of the key characteristics of third spaces is their ability to foster social interactions and build communities. In the virtual world, online forums, social media groups, and gaming communities serve as digital gathering places where individuals with shared interests, hobbies, or passions can connect and interact. These virtual third spaces transcend geographical boundaries, allowing people from different backgrounds and cultures to come together and form meaningful connections.
Another important aspect of third spaces is their potential for identity exploration and liberation. In the virtual world, individuals can create avatars, adopt pseudonyms, or simply enjoy the anonymity that the internet provides. This freedom allows people to explore different aspects of their identities, question societal norms, and seek spaces where they feel a sense of belonging. For underrepresented groups, virtual third spaces can become safe havens where they can find like-minded individuals, share experiences, and imagine their liberation from oppression or marginalization.
Virtual third spaces also provide opportunities for play and experimentation. Online games, for example, offer a unique blend of structured rules and creative freedom, allowing individuals to test their skills, collaborate with others, and achieve social recognition within the context of the game. This playfulness can also extend to creative pursuits, such as digital art, music, and writing, where individuals can express themselves and receive feedback from a global audience.
Additionally, virtual third spaces can serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and learning. Online educational communities, forums, and collaborative projects bring together individuals with diverse expertise and experiences, creating dynamic environments for knowledge sharing and mentorship. These virtual third spaces often encourage active participation and the merging of personal experiences with educational content, enhancing the learning process and fostering a sense of community among learners.
In conclusion, third spaces in the virtual world encompass a diverse range of online environments, from gaming communities to educational forums. These spaces offer opportunities for social connection, identity exploration, creative expression, and knowledge exchange. By providing a sense of belonging and encouraging active participation, virtual third spaces can have a profound impact on individuals' lives, empowering them to transgress societal boundaries and imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.
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Frequently asked questions
A third space is a social surrounding that is separate from the two usual social environments of home (first space) and the workplace (second space). Examples include churches, cafes, bars, clubs, libraries, gyms, bookstores, parks, and theatres, among others.
Third spaces are important for civic engagement, a sense of community, and social interaction. They can also be restorative and offer psychological support to individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups.
In education, third spaces can refer to extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, and other child-centered environments that students frequent outside of their home and school. These spaces provide students with a sense of community, help them develop social skills, and foster positive associations with academic responsibilities. In higher education, third spaces can allow individuals to transgress aspects of their fields or departments that make them feel excluded and question their sense of belonging.
