Critical Third Space: Balancing Community and Growth in Global Cities

Written By Menno Cramer

This is a guest submission from Andrea Lewis, Andrea is a leader in Product Strategy, Experience Design and UX research and has been so kind to share her thoughts on this as an expert in the design industry.

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Living in vibrant, tourist-centric cities like New York, London, and Amsterdam has given me a deep appreciation for the indispensable role of "third spaces" in urban life. These are the places we frequent outside of home and work - the comfy cafes, vibrant parks, and community areas that form the backbone of city living.

In New York, I found solace in the neighbourhood delis, bodegas and corner parks. London offered its cosy pubs and sprawling commons, while Amsterdam's canal-side benches and cafes became my go-to spots. Despite their distinct characters, these cities universally demonstrated the indispensable nature of third spaces - especially where costs are high and living spaces tend to be compact.

Community picnic table beside a canal, Amsterdam (picture by Andrea Lewis)

The Challenge of Urban Growth

As the world navigates the lasting impacts of COVID-19, the significance of third spaces has come under intense scrutiny. The shift to remote work has further complicated this landscape, especially in urban areas. We’ve all felt the strain of being cooped up indoors, seeking refuge on our balconies and in our gardens. Yet, we soon realised that the value of third spaces extends beyond just physical space; it lies in those unspoken moments of shared humanity and connection. Even when we weren’t interacting directly, we craved the reassurance of knowing that others were moving, living, and loving—experiencing the same challenges and joys as we were.

Global cities continue to expand and evolve, so preserving these essential third spaces becomes increasingly challenging. The rapid pace of development, while bringing economic benefits, often threatens the very places that give our neighbourhoods their distinct identities.

In Amsterdam, I witnessed how gentrification gradually altered the landscape of once-familiar neighbourhoods. New York's ever-rising real estate prices pushed out long-standing local businesses. London's community spaces faced similar pressures, with beloved local haunts giving way to luxury apartments. In these vibrant cities, the entire face of a neighbourhood could transform dramatically within a matter of months, if not entirely in the span of a few years. Regrettably, the driving force behind such rapid change is often not to better serve the local community, but rather to expand and inflate for the sake of capital gain.

Balancing Progress and Community

The key lies in thoughtful urban planning, especially concerning evolving third spaces. Drawing from the best practices I've observed across these cities, it's evident that integrating community spaces into new developments is crucial. For instance, New York's High Line project exemplifies how repurposing urban space can create vibrant public areas. The city transformed an abandoned railroad elevated above Manhattan streets into a floating oasis for leisurely walks, first dates, and coffee meet-ups. Since its initial sections opened in 2009 and as it expanded in subsequent years, it has become a destination for art, nature, and design.

Community involvement is equally crucial. In Amsterdam, I witnessed firsthand how resident input directly shaped neighbourhood development plans. I also observed the extensive ways local residents used community spaces like parks - hosting parties, decorating tables for personal gatherings, and treating the parks as extensions of their own backyards, living rooms, and dining rooms.The parks, in essence, became integrated into the fabric of daily life, serving as vibrant hubs for social connection and recreation within the community.

Moreover, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of adapting these spaces to meet changing needs. Many third spaces have innovated by creating outdoor dining options or hosting virtual community events, ensuring continued engagement amid restrictions.

London's innovative community land trusts provide a promising model for preserving affordable living spaces and homes. Through this model, progress and development in the city could benefit all residents, rather than solely those able to afford the highest prices. Importantly, the land trust approach recognises that progress shouldn't come at the expense of economic diversity. We need to strike a balance, enabling positive change while safeguarding the ability of diverse residents to affordably live, work, and thrive in the city. This model offers a path forward for equitable urban development that uplifts entire communities, not just the most affluent.

 https://unsplash.com/photos/photo-of-brown-houses-near-body-of-water-oXQT32eAMGE 

Along the river in Hampstead Heath, a public park in London

New York City's community boards play a vital role in amplifying local voices to protect the diverse social and environmental assets that make neighbourhoods unique. While the process can be challenging, these boards recognize the importance of ensuring progress aligns with the authentic character and needs of the surrounding community.

One key tool New York community boards can leverage is the designation of Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs) - ecologically sensitive zones that receive special consideration in the urban planning process. By advocating for CEA status, residents can help safeguard natural habitats, open green spaces, and other vital community assets from development that would degrade or destroy them.

Incorporating expert insights from urban planners and sociologists can also enrich our understanding of and appreciation for third spaces. There are a few experts that I follow to keep me updated and inspired. One is David Burney, a Director at Pratt Institute School of Architecture, who focuses on government projects aimed at elevating design quality to positively impact community well-being. His influence on the landscape of New York City is palpable and his projects have touched many of my favourite third spaces there; bus routes and bus stops (since I prefer to see the city rather than take the subway) and libraries (books were my playground as a child and refuge as an adult). 

Another influential figure is Richard Sennett, a sociologist and author renowned for his explorations of urban life and public spaces, particularly in his book The Open City. In a 2019 article, he addressed the paradox of design, utility, and co-living, stating, “Opening up urban spaces can result in ugly and difficult sites, but inclusion is more important than beauty. A city should not be user-friendly. It should be a place where you learn how to deal with a difficult situation and with other people – that is what makes a city really open.”  This notion that a city should not be user-friendly highlights the friction inherent in ensuring that third spaces are accessible to all; it underscores the complexity of human coexistence.

I also want to highlight Eveline Van Leeuwen, the Scientific Director at Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions. Her work excites me as it embodies the principles of UX applied to the physical world. She integrates sustainability and financial equity into urban design, ensuring that mobility and shared public spaces are thoughtfully crafted and accessible to both people and the environment.

All of these expert thinkers emphasise the need for community engagement and human consideration in the planning process to ensure that these areas reflect the diverse needs of city dwellers. They often incorporate beauty—however it may be defined—and social elements into utilitarian spaces.


Looking Forward

As our cities grow, we must remember the lessons learned from diverse urban experiences. Whether it's a New York City community garden, a London social housing plan, or an Amsterdam park party, these third spaces are essential to the fabric of city life and our personal joy.

To adapt to the realities of remote work and evolving lifestyles, we must prioritise the creation of hybrid spaces that seamlessly blend work, leisure, and community interaction. The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed our ways of working, pushing many of us to embrace remote work and redefining how we view our daily environments. As a result, third spaces have become even more critical; they serve as vital connectors in our lives, offering places where we can collaborate, socialise, and recharge outside our homes.

By focusing on these communal areas in our urban development plans, we can ensure that our cities not only grow in size but also enhance their capacity to foster meaningful connections. This balance is essential for creating urban environments that are not only economically prosperous but also socially vibrant and inclusive. As we rethink our cities in the wake of these changes, prioritising third spaces will help us build resilient communities that thrive in both work and play.

In conclusion, as we navigate the complexities of modern urban life, let’s advocate for third spaces that enrich our communities and our living. By engaging in local initiatives and supporting equitable development models, we can cultivate thriving urban ecosystems that serve everyone.

Menno Cramer
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