In an age where our daily dose of interaction can be satisfied through a screen, the need for ‘third spaces’, also called ‘third places’, has become a rising concern amongst young people.
Third places are spaces outside of work and home, or for many students, outside of school and home. The term was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the late 1900s, which he described as “generic designation for a great variety of public places that host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.”
Winter Launch Party at Museum London (Credit: Angela Antonopoulos)
In Canada, 38 million people were on the internet at the start of 2025, and 31.7 million were active on social media. These users can talk to friends and strangers through text, phone and video call, or through social media platforms.
With so much at the touch of a button, it threatens our ability to connect face-to-face, and continue to participate in collective community like we have done for thousands of years.
“Online is probably the quickest place that you can get a third space,” said Cassidy Pelacek, owner of local women and queer wellness group, C&C Collective.
Cassidy Polacek receiving a Student Impact award at Fanshawe College. (Credit: Cassidy Polacek)
She said her experience with homelessness sparked her passion for third spaces, giving her a sense of peace during a hard period in her life. Now, she works with non-profit organizations and spearheads her own initiatives to bring community events into the city’s public spaces.
“London has a lot, whether that’s through the city itself, the tourism, the art galleries, the museum, the libraries,” said Pelacek.
Historically, humans have always gathered in public areas to connect with one another. In Ancient China, individuals met in teahouses to chat over a warm drink, and in the Middle ages, taverns and market squares acted as vibrant community hubs.
In modern times, most cities have places like local cafes, parks, and community event spaces to serve as meeting spots. The most successful of these are ones with free or low-cost entries and activities.
Community members at the Cultivating Resilient Food Systems summit, Nov.6, 2025. (Naomi Ljunggren / XFM News)
“There’s a big scene where you can go out and, try not to spend money to be able to find that [third space] cuz everybody is really struggling in this current economy,” said Pelacek.
It is also no surprise that third spaces can feel emotionally hard to enter, especially if you’re by yourself or feel less confident in unknown social environments.
There’s anxiety, barriers, and the tendency to stick to our own groups, said Pelacek, but finding a place where you feel welcomed is a huge step forward.
Cassidy Pelacek and other members of the Young Women of Excellence group doing a vision board meeting. (Credit: Cassidy Pelacek)
“Phone addictions are bad, but it is a tool at the end of the day,” said Pelacek. She noted that meeting people online before seeing them in person can take away some of the fear, and also be useful for those who want to meet others like themselves.
A place of belonging is especially important for marginalized groups, who are outcasted from society and face oppression in predominantly cis-heteronormative white spaces.
“When there’s been this huge divide between races, sexes, sexualities, finding a safe space is really really important and is absolutely necessary to finding yourself,” said Pelacek.
With various social, societal, and emotional obstacles, it may not feel worth the effort to become entwined in our community. Yet, there are benefits to reap tenfold when we go beyond our comfortability.
“At the end of the day, how do I take care of me? And though there’s that anxiety there, it’s what’s gonna make you who you wanna be, and that’s the best thing that you could do,” said Pelacek.
Customers at the re-opening of Wortley Village’s Black Walnut cafe, Feb. 11, 2026. (Naomi Ljunggren / XFM News)
We must then ask ourselves whether technology has replaced the need for third spaces, become a tool to attend them, or if it’s simply a distraction from attaining genuine human connection?
Find out more on the Almost 107 episode ‘Bring Third Spaces Back’.
