Exploring the Nature of Third Places and Local Social Ties in High-Density Areas: The Case of a Large Mixed-Use Complex

ABSTRACT

Evidence on the social sustainability of higher residential densities, as planned for in compact city policies, is mixed. Understanding the factors contributing to social sustainability in these contexts is key to compact cities' future success. This paper clarifies the concept of “third places”, spaces where people socialise and develop “weak tie” relationships, and appraises its relevance to social sustainability at high density. Findings around the form of third places and weak ties are presented from a mixed-use high-density complex in Sydney, Australia, facilitating the identification and development of spaces contributing to social sustainability at higher residential densities.

紧凑城市政策下的高密度居住，对社会可持续性的影响优劣不一。搞清这些语境下哪些因素有利于社会可持续性，对未来紧凑城市的成功至关重要。本文厘清“第三种场所”（third places）——人们进行社交并建立“弱关系”的场所——的概念，并评估第三种场所与高密度人口社会可持续性的关系。通过澳大利亚悉尼一个多功能高密度小区，展示关于第三种场所和弱关系型态的研究结果，以期促进空间向着有利于高密度居住区社会可持续性的方向发展。

KEYWORDS:

• Third place
• social sustainability
• high density
• social relationships
• weak ties
• neighbourhood

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. The author would like to thank the participants and case study building management for their insights, time and assistance in this project, as well as two anonymous reviewers, Dr Gethin Davison, Dr Hazel Easthope and Prof Bruce Judd for their valuable comments on earlier drafts.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Australian Government funding for higher-degree research training.