How one building can make a difference

There's been much discussion of creating what the late Ray Oldenburg called “third places,” why they are vanishing, and how they are linchpins of neighborhoods and social interaction. Neighborhood Lab, based in Copenhagen, created a graphic describing how a single building “can spark positive change in an entire neighborhood.” The building must have a human-scale design and a social function as a gathering place. They show a main street building, the classic third-place design, but it could take other forms.

The takeaway is that a single building, whether new or old, can make a big difference in a place—but it must be designed and organized to bring diverse people together. Below are the characteristics:

1. Place identity – Help strengthen the local culture and character of the area.
2. Design – Focus on human-scale designs that encourage social connections and safety.
3. Facilities – Provide services or spaces that meet unmet needs in the neighborhood.
4. Target Group – Understand the neighborhood's population and how certain groups can benefit or drive positive change.
5. Social Space – Make shared indoor and outdoor areas available for community gatherings and activities.
6. Gathering – Open up certain activities or spaces to the entire neighborhood to encourage social interaction.
7. Urban Synergies – Work with local businesses to promote social responsibility and build community ties.
8. Neighborhood Board – If possible, create a network of property owners, the municipality, and residents to identify needs, share responsibility and coordinate common actions.

Hat tip to Seth Kaplan.