Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

The term “third place” was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg (1999), referring to the place where people socialise in the city beyond their home (first place) and work (second place). These third places are the epicentre of public social life and interactions, crucial to well-being. “Placemaking” discourse has also emphasised social interactions as one of its key aims. With the rise of social media, scholars have argued that it could be a form of a “digital third place” (Digital-TP) since it embodies most of Oldenburg’s third place characteristics. As technology and Digital-TPs continue to evolve, it is essential to understand their impact on our “physical third places” (Physical-TP) and their potential opportunities in urban design and planning. It is becoming more important than ever for urban designers and planners to effectively respond to these changes in the meaning of third places when designing and planning our cities, while also understanding the specific social and cultural dynamics unique to each context. This paper builds on some of the preliminary findings of my PhD research on this subject, in the context of Saudi Arabia. The PhD investigates the connection between Physical-TPs, Digital-TPs, and emerging technologies and how they can be strategically integrated to promote “physical” social interactions and innovative placemaking strategies in Saudi Arabian neighbourhoods. To achieve this, the ongoing research utilises a rich combination of digital tools and observations, with some semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The expected outcome is an original urban design and planning strategy, which practitioners, decision-makers, and researchers can utilise.