Ray Oldensberg Third Place Analysis

According to Ray Oldenburg, American urban sociologist, places can be divided on three categories. The first one is the home, the second one is the workplace, and the third is a place which exists on neutral ground and aims towards social equality (Oldenburg, p. 163). In the middle of the city of Jönköping between Södra Strandgatan and Smedjegatan, lies the inner garden of Borgmästargränd 5, a third place. The aim of this essay is to describe and analyze the inner garden based on the American urban sociologist Ray Oldensburg´s The character of third places, in order to show that this place brings vitality by acting as a social fabric for the community life. The inner garden can be considered a third place, because of three reasons: it posses simple physical qualities that make the user feel comfortable with its surroundings, second, the space aims to be inclusive and open to its users, and lastly, the space itself acts as the heart of a community´s vitality.

The inner garden has spatial qualities that make the …show more content…
A transformation occurs as soon as you enter the inner garden, one is no longer at home not at work, yet feels comfortable enough to start a conversation, to socialize. A third place is informal, but it facilitates interaction among the individuals that gather in the space. The inner garden “accommodate people when they are released from their responsibilities…serving people´s needs for sociability and relaxation” (Oldenburg, p.167) in a very simple way: a coffee shop in one of its corners, and some places to sit. The spaces feels cozy and comfortable, playful. On busy days, one can sense the Genius Loci of the place: a simple place with buzzing local life that make one feel welcome whilst enjoying a conversation or relaxing at the inner garden. In a world that values individuality and independence, the inner garden becomes a place that avoids social