Places That Bring Our Communities Together and Transform Them: A Look Back at the Grand Gathering on Third Places
On October 29, about 30 people from various Montreal neighborhoods gathered for the latest edition of the “Grandes rencontres de l’Espace quartiers.” Organized jointly with the Climate Resilience Collective of Transition en commun (TeC) and the Montreal Third Places Network, the event aimed to explore the central role that third places play today in social transformation. Titled “Third Places: Spaces That Bring Our Communities Together and Transform Them,” the evening was part of a broader movement toward citizens reclaiming their living environments.
Through six workshop stations, participants were able to explore key themes: the conceptual and practical foundations of third places, the concept of inclusion, governance models, conditions for sustainability, the tensions between urban densification and the need for gathering spaces, as well as the regulatory barriers faced by mixed-use initiatives. This dynamic format encouraged reflection, experimentation, and open conversation, staying true to the very spirit of third places.
To revisit the highlights of the evening or learn more about third places, click here!