A Long Abstract... But it Works

You sir… your time starts now!

The sense of community has been lost in today’s time. Cities and communities do not have the camaraderie that was previously dominant. Many people live next to people whom they have never met. Technology, transient movement, urban sprawl, and lack of compassion are all factors that are beginning to change the face of community. Another factor, zoning code, has not been used in the means that it was created. Zoning code has hurt communities when it is used for political purposes and not community and quality of life purposes.

Many moons ago when diners were the rage, they were considered to be a place where friends or all races, age, and class could come and relax and discuss any number of topics that were being dealt with. I am not saying that the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s were the greatest decades of all time, however there was a feeling of community, safety, and a lesser degree of stress in the world. A diner was known for cheap greasy food that was, sometimes, better than you could imagine or find any where else. The staff seldom wore name tags, because you probably already knew their name. If you had been to that diner just a few times, the staff probably already knew what you were going to order before you even entered the front door.

The diner is considered a “Third Place.” Out side of home (The First Place) and work (The Second Place), the third place was an establishment that people could go to get away from the problems of everyday life according to Ray Oldenburg. Diners were not the only form of the third place; taverns, hair salons, bars, restaurants, book clubs, coffee shops, barber shops, etc. could all be considered third places. These places are where people of the community can come to discuss a number of issues and relax. People usually find that third place that they feel welcomed in, and continue to go there.

So what is it about a third place that continually brings people back? There are a number points that can be made. Proximity, people find the closest of any of the establishment listed in relation to their home; sometimes within walking distance. Some other points that can be made are the following: cost is usually little, the food is usually good, the people blend together well, the staff fits with the patrons well, and the type of establishment fits the customer’s personality.

With all of this being considered, how could a city or community be developed around a third place type of environment? The city would be pulled together and eliminate urban sprawl. The various social classes would be mixed together and distinct areas would be broken up. There would be plenty of seating along the streets with green spaces and buffers. People would be encouraged to interact, not discouraged. Zoning codes would have to be used to aid in community relations, not just what the community should look like. And most importantly, the food would have to be great with a wide variety. With these and some other implementations, the quality of life would rise and the togetherness that a communities need would rise as well.

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Dang it… I went over.