Third Places
"Third places" are spaces where people gather outside of home (first place) and work/school (second place). Coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, third places "host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals." These places might include coffee shops, places of worship, community centers, and other spaces that promote "a community's social vitality."
Click on the map to explore third spaces in Tacoma, Washington. Blue shading indicates neighborhood council districts with a higher density of third spaces. What are the consequences of this uneven spread?