Third space

From Geography

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.

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. Third Space 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. Second space is the conceptualization of first space. We represent the space we live in by art, advertisements or any other medium. Any human being works with first and second space. We have an idea of how for example Nijmegen is mapped and structured. And in second place, 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 second space. It also encompasses the other two. It is the space in which all spaces are because if we map our environment we use first space 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.

Sources 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)

Authors Henk-Jan van Maanen & Ingram Smit