The Rise of the Traveling Third Space
6 days ago
- #urban living
- #community
- #social infrastructure
- Third spaces are places outside home and work where people gather, fostering connection and reducing loneliness.
- Despite the emphasis on third spaces, public spaces alone do not guarantee community or belonging.
- Examples from East Asia show that even with significant investment in social infrastructure, loneliness persists.
- New models like 'traveling third spaces' focus on community first, moving across various locations without being tied to a single space.
- Tova in Hong Kong and Critical Mass are examples of communities that prioritize people over physical locations, offering events and meetups across the city.
- These traveling third spaces adapt to urban density and high costs, providing flexibility and broader access to community-building activities.
- Community and belonging require ongoing effort and shared interests, not just access to public or third spaces.