Promoting a sense of belonging  Thirdspaces

Feeling part of a society and being recognized as such by other members is not a matter of course. Physical presence or legal affiliation are certainly basic prerequisites for belonging, but a true sense of belonging encompasses complex emotional, social and cultural dimensions.

It is easy to put down roots in a new environment and find a new home if you feel like you belong. This perception is a central component of the successful integration of new members of society and, in the long term, for the preservation of social peace. However, the search for feasible political strategies is difficult due to the complexity of the sometimes very personal factors and their interaction with society. This is where thirdspace theory comes into play, which makes it possible to project these factors into a “space”. This theory describes a place in which traditional pairs of opposites such as home and foreign, self and other can be overcome and in which hybridity and fluidity instead open up potential for the emergence of new identities. It was developed by the American sociologist Edward Soja in 1996 and draws on the earlier idea of the author Ray Oldenburg, also a sociologist, who introduced the term “third space” in his 1989 book The Great Good Place to describe public places such as libraries or bars as distinct from the home, the first space, and the workplace, the second space. It was later developed further by others, in particular the Indian theorist Homi K. Bhabha.

Three spaces

The theory envisages three urban spaces: The first space is the physical, built environment that can be mapped, quantifiably measured and “seen” in the real world. It is the product of planning laws, political decisions and urban changes over time. The second is conceptual space - the way this space is conceived in the minds of the people who inhabit it. It is a product of marketing strategies, (re)imagination and social norms that determine how people act or behave in this space. The third is the “real and imagined” space, the lived space, the way people actually live in and experience this urban space.

Environments where different cultures and identities meet can create new social meanings and relationships, according to the core of the theory. It has profound implications for understanding how space can influence identity, belonging and social integration. Soja emphasizes that the third space is not only physical; it is also (simultaneously) a conceptual space where individuals come together to negotiate identities and co-create meanings that lie outside established norms: they share an idea, a goal, an enthusiasm or a dream, or they are curious about the ideas of others.

Examples of third spaces where both definitions come together are community centers, cultural festivals, public parks or local cafés - places where different groups can interact meaningfully. These spaces challenge the traditional dichotomy of 'us' and 'them' and foster an atmosphere of inclusion, understanding and collaboration.

Society must want them

For immigrants and refugees, the journey to feeling at home in a new country is often fraught with challenges such as isolation, cultural alienation and painful processes of assimilation. And for those fleeing conflict in particular, safe, welcoming environments without fear of judgment or discrimination are hugely important. In appropriate spaces, newcomers can preserve parts of their cultural identity by sharing their traditions and stories, while integrating into a new social fabric. Multiculturalism at its best.

Embracing the concept of third spaces can lead to true cultural exchange and foster a deep sense of belonging for all individuals within a community. They wouldn't be that difficult or costly to create either; community centers, sports facilities and event spaces already exist. But society must want them and engage in an active culture of welcoming. It would be in the interests of all its members —as well as politicians— to break down barriers, welcome immigrants and refugees and integrate them into society and the labor market as quickly as possible.

Taking Germany as an example, the need for action is obvious: with almost 2 million new immigrants in just one year (2023, Statista), a current immigrant unemployment rate of around 15% (2024, Statista) and an outflow of over one million immigrants per year (2023, Statista), it quickly becomes clear how much there is still to do. Positive, reciprocal connections create new citizens, those who want to stay and help shape a nuanced and inclusive social narrative. The current situation makes it all too clear: a society that only promotes the first two spaces, those of stones and those of rules, and not those of a lived and felt reality, will fail.