“What suburbia cries for are the means for people to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and pleasurably—a ‘place on the corner,’ real life alternatives to television, easy escapes from the cabin fever of marriage and family life that do not necessitate getting into an automobile.”
With these words, American urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg captured the need for accessible and enjoyable social spaces. In his 1989 book ‘The Great Good Place,’ he introduced the term ‘third place’ as a way of describing “public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact.” Unlike the home or work setting, these environments have long been essential hubs of connection—fostering a sense of belonging, lively interaction, and community spirit.
From the vibrant agoras of Ancient Athens to the intellectual coffeehouses of 17th century Europe, third places have historically served as meeting grounds where people from diverse backgrounds exchanged ideas and engaged in vast social debates. In the modern era, these spaces have evolved into various forms—including beer gardens, cafés, and libraries—whilst remaining vital to community life.
Looking specifically at the UK’s pub scene, which boasted approximately 69,000 open drinking establishments in the 1960s, pubs have offered a place for socialising unlike anywhere else. With their famously sticky floors and welcoming atmosphere, they have been a place where strangers become regulars, conversations flow as freely as the pints, and community bonds are forged over shared laughter. However, over the course of the 21st century, leisure became increasingly privatised—making many of these once-accessible gathering spots too costly for the average person to enjoy.
Modern living is making third places less relevant
Characterised by rising living costs and an increasingly individualistic society, the 21st century has witnessed a sharp decline in third places. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported an average global inflation rate of 6.8% in 2023, driving up the cost of essentials like food, energy, and housing—not to mention the added expenses of going out. Want to live the high life in New York City? Curbed calculated how that will set you back a staggering $712,329 a year. Even where third places still exist, they are increasingly becoming what sociologist Marc Augé described as ‘non-places’—spaces dominated by consumerism. In these settings, people are no longer unique individuals but customers, clients, an address to be billed, or a car to be parked. When socialising comes with a hefty price tag, it is no surprise that people are opting to stay in and communal spaces are starting to disappear.
Beyond financial barriers, the alienating nature of modern society has become a significant concern that only worsened the decline of third places. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, a lingering social-distancing mentality has led social gatherings to feel less essential than they once were. Deanna Ridzuan, a 21-year-old student from London, spent a significant part of her formative years navigating the restrictions of lockdown. “After months of limited social interaction, I stopped looking forward to going out,” she admits. But the shift was not just about physical isolation—technology played a major role too. The rise of the internet and social media has reshaped the way young people connect, making it even harder to form meaningful relationships outside of the virtual world of Gen-Z. “I found myself pulling away from social situations, feeling more comfortable interacting through social media,” Deanna adds.
Concerns regarding loneliness and social disconnection have been growing for years. In 2018, former Prime Minister Theresa May took a step in addressing loneliness in the UK by appointing Tracey Crouch as the first Minister for Loneliness. The move was a response to what May described as “the sad reality of modern life” for far too many people. This issue remains just as pressing today, with Stuart Andrew, the current and fourth Minister for Loneliness, acknowledging that 16- to 24-year-olds are now the loneliest age group in England.
The changing landscape of third places
It comes to no surprise that modern living is reshaping the way social spaces operate. In fact, Time Out reports that London is losing its pubs at a faster rate than anywhere else in England, with Big Smoke—a modern brewery and pub company—closing a total of its 46 locations within the first six months of 2023. More recently, the trend has continued across England and Wales, with more than one pub closing each day in 2024. For Adam Johnson, a 36-year-old employee at Ladywell Tavern in South East London, the shift in the pub scene in recent years is undeniable. “From what I’ve heard, this place used to be quite a busy, sometimes ‘rough’ pub. Whereas now, we have a lot of quiet days, with many people coming in just to get some work done during the day,” he explains. As society moves from a culture centred around socialising to one consumed by productivity, even pubs have adapted—now doubling as remote workspaces where laptops are welcomed. As Adam puts it: “People aren’t coming to pubs to switch off anymore, they’re bringing their work with them.”
However, there is still hope. Third places continue to find ways to foster community engagement, adapting to shifting social habits and financial pressures. With the rising cost of living and a generation that no longer finds the same appeal in drinking, businesses around the world have implemented the concept of happy hour—a designated time when alcoholic drinks are offered at a discounted price. “Ever since introducing our weekday deals (cheap pints, wines, and spirits from Monday to Thursday), we’ve noticed a big increase in customers during the week. On the weekends it’s pretty dead because of how expensive it is,” explains Adam.
Besides discounted offers, Ladywell Tavern and many other establishments work on hosting community-building events. “We organise all kinds of events—we have an open mic every Wednesday, a quiz night every Thursday, and live music gigs on the weekends,” says Adam. Beyond in-house entertainment, the pub also collaborates with local initiatives to strengthen its ties to the neighbourhood. “We partnered with Brockley Max (a nine-day community arts festival held in the first week of June each year) and we’ve also started SE Storytellers in collaboration with Crofton Books, which takes place on the last Monday of every month.” These events do more than just attract visitors, they introduce new faces to the space and bring people together. “Most of the time, I don’t even recognise half the people who come in,” Adam adds—explaining how these partnerships help reinforce the sense of community that many fear is fading.
The role of urban planning in bringing back third places
It has been a growing trend for cities to rethink their design through urban planning, recognising the need to revive communal spaces. Particularly since the pandemic, city leaders have noticed a shift—people are keeping to their neighbourhoods and relying more on local amenities. In response, urban planning efforts have focused on revitalising these areas, often through the development of well-equipped and accessible locales.
In a conversation with Power Out of Restriction (POoR), a social enterprise led by a dynamic team of young architects, the critical role of urban planning in fostering third places was made apparent. Akmaral Alexander, a 28-year-old architect from POoR Collective, says: “Our team is driven by socially conscious design. We actively collaborate with the communities we serve to develop recreational spaces that cater to their needs.” At a time when many areas are grappling with the loss of these essential social spaces, the importance of thoughtful and inclusive design in local environments cannot be overstated. “Whether it’s a simple bench on a high street or a large-scale pavilion, we involve local groups, especially young people, in the design process,” Akmaral explains. “This approach doesn’t only give them a sense of ownership but also shapes these spaces in meaningful ways, enriching daily lives and strengthening communities.”