Humans are social animals who band together in cohesive groups called tribes or communities. This provides safety, companionship, pleasure, learning, livelihood and profit to individuals.
Typically a community comprises about 500 to 1000 individuals, connected to each by factors, such as, religious faith, profession, extended family, sport, politics, etc.
Communities vitally need venues where people can meet in a neutral environment and in an informal manner for individuals to socialise. Such a venue we could call as **'third place.'**
The first place is where people reside, at their homes, the second place is where people go to work, and the third place is where people go to socialise.
Communities with vibrant third places develop into centres of shared learning, art, culture, sport and the people enjoy a much higher standard of quality of life.
What are the requirements for a third place?
There are generally eight factors that are typical of third places.
Neutral ground
Occupants of third places have little to no obligation to be there. They are not tied down to the area financially, politically, legally, or otherwise and are free to come and go as they please.
Leveler
Third places places no particular importance on an individual's economical or social status in a society. There are no prerequisites or requirements that would prevent acceptance or participation in the third place.
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| Community Kitchen |
Conversation is main activity
Playful and happy conversation is the main but not the only activity in third places. The tone of conversation is usually light hearted and humorous;
Accessibility and accommodation
Third places are open and readily accessible to those who occupy them. They are also accommodating, to meet the wants of their inhabitants.
The regulars
Third places harbour a number of regulars that help give the space its tone, and help set the mood and characteristics of the area. Regulars assist newcomers to feel welcome and accommodated.
A low profile
Third places are characteristically wholesome. The inside of a third place is without extravagance or grandiosity, and has a homely feel.
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| Football at Hotfut, Pune. India |
The mood is playful
The tone of conversation in third places are never marked with tension or hostility. Instead, they have a playful nature, where witty conversation and frivolous banter are not only common, but highly valued.
A home away from home
Occupants of third places will often have the same feelings of warmth, possession, and belonging as they would in their own homes. They feel a piece of themselves is rooted in the space, and gain spiritual regeneration by spending time there.
Urban centres with large populations are mushrooming everywhere. People struggle to find third places which are becoming increasingly rare, if not extinct.
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| Intellectually and spiritually hollow people. |
The desire of governments to monetise any and every available square meter of public space, makes it difficult if not impossible to create vibrant communities
It is no coincidence that the ‘helping professions’ are major and rapidly growing components of our economy as leaders and planners unwittingly help destroy local public life and communities.
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| Urban sprawl |
Even where there are some third places available, people rarely find the time to socialise.
Shifts from large joint to small nuclear families, non stop 24 hour work timings, has also taken a big toll on family and communities.
Couple this with stress created by authorities, the total disregard by governments, town planners, encroachment, unsafe environments etc. has extensively damaged if not destroyed communities.
What are third places available to Indians?
Places of religious worship are the most popular third places in India. They often provide the only succour available to people, for safe socialising. But the downside is that, religous leaders demand blind obedience and sometimes abuse the trust that this obedience provides.
The market place, village and town fairs, celebrating festivals, offer some form of community space. They may be fun, but do not satisfy fully the third place needs of individuals.
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| Harmandir Sahib, The Golden Temple. Amritsar. |
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| Muslims at prayer |
There are still some other third places left these days. Some which come to mind are, canteens, tea stalls, chapels, dhabas, play grounds, street corners, beach communities, prayer groups, etc. for the simple people. Then for others there are tea /coffee shops, bars and restaurants, sports and recreational clubs, sports facilities, etc.
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| Aufside bar and restaurant, Pune. |
Social well-being and psychological health of individuals depend upon communities which can only exist where there are vibrant third places.
Third places are not a choice but are a vital necessity and a precondition for healthy communities. For they create habits of public association, and offer psychological support to individuals and communities.
Nations are relatively a recent phenomenon. Historically the real building block of humanity and a successful civilisation is the family and community.
Civilisations and governments should be judged by how well they satisfy the safety, livelihood, etc. needs and the quality of life of individuals and communities.
Third Places build strong and resilient communities, and that is the bedrock of a strong, tolerant, peaceful, healthy, vibrant, civilised world. And that is the best legacy we can leave our children.
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Written and posted by Gurvinder Singh
Ampav Education & Consulting Pvt. Ltd. website
Pune. India
Ampav Education and Consulting is a Pune based organisation committed to evolving better ways to live, work and play. To support programs of the community, for the community, by the community. Please write to us
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