Third space

From Geography

Revision as of 14:31, 9 October 2012

When writing a wiki one is supposed to give a definition of the topic. But when doing so with Thirdspace we are in danger of missing the main point of this idea of space and spatiality. Thirdspace is always open to interpretation, always flexible, vibrant, controversial and moreover radically open. We should be careful with a fixed definition since Thirdspace is based on the radical openness and the lack of dogma in the work of Henri Lefebvre. It is grounded in the post modern thought of seeing a conclusion as never being final but instead as a starting point for further exploration.

Edward Soja

Thirdspace is a concept developed by the American Geographer Edward Soja in his book Thirdspace, journeys to Los Angelos and other Real and Imagined places. Thirdspace is radically different way of looking at, interpreting and acting to change the embracing spatiality of human life (Soja, 1996, p.29). It is the third aspect in a new way of thinking about space and spatiality. Thirdspace is based on the work of a number of social scientist, most notably Henri Lefebvre. Lefebvre introduces thirdspace in slightly different form and under a different name: ‘Spaces of representation and can also be seen as ‘lived space’. It is not the name however that matters, it is the idea. Thirdspace is the space we give meaning to. A rapidly, continually changing space in which we live. It is the experience of living.

First and second space

Thirdspace can only be understood through First and Second space. First space is space seen from the top of a skyscraper. It is the mapping and compartmentalization of a space. It gives a wide, rational perspective. Secondspace is the conceptualization of Firstspace. We represent the space we live in by art, advertisements or any other medium. Any human being works with First and Secondspace. We have an idea of how for example Nijmegen is mapped and structured. And in Secondplace, if asked to describe Nijmegen, we would describe it as the oldest city of the Netherlands as well as a student town. In Thirdspace we are concerned with how the laborers in the poor neighborhoods actually experience living and give meaning to their city. We are interested in how businessmen move around the city and we would study the homeless person trying to sell a map to one of these businessman.

Thirdspace however is not just distinct from First and Secondspace. It also encompasses the other two. It is the space in which all spaces come together because if we map our environment we use Firstspace and if we sing along with our national anthem we conceptualize space but we should never forget that while doing so we are living in Thirdspace.

Examples of thirdspace

An example of Thirdspace could be a market. First space would see a market as a geographical area in the centre of a town. Second space would see it as a place where goods are sold and bought. By looking at the market from a Thirdspace point of view one would see the market as a place where people come together to socialise, gossip and buy local produce. They give meaning to this space by socialising and every person experiences it in another way.

References:

Soja, E.W. (1996). Thirdspace: Journeys to Los Angeles and Other Real-and-Imagined Places. Blackwell Publishing: Oxford.

Atkinson, R (1996). Review on Thirdspace: Journeys to Los Angeles and Other Real-and-Imagined Places (Electronic Version), http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3780/is_199804/ai_n8796807/

Moles, K (2008). A Walk in Thirdspace: Place, Methods and Walking, Sociological Research Online (Electronic Version)

Published by Henk-Jan van Maanen & Ingram Smit

Edited by Bert Hegger on October 9th 2012