Inner-City Suburbs and the Rise of "Third Places"

Earlier this month Domain wrote a defensive piece for hipsters and gentrification. Informing us that one of the differences between neighbourhoods in the inner city and outer suburbs in Australia is the quality and type of retail offerings. Gentrifying inner-city suburbs are characterised by independent owner-operated retail businesses. These inner-city suburbs will generally be filled with “third places” such as cafes, bars and restaurants. These “third places” are where people will commonly spend their time outside of home and work.

An example inner-city suburb with a lively neighbourhood and high street, is Brisbane’s very own West End right here in the 4101. A suburb filled with dining spots and retail stores where residents and visitors alike all can spend their spare time. When walking through the streets in this area, it is common to see people enjoying themselves, whether they are enjoying other’s company over lunch, a quiet cuppa at their favourite café or stumbling into a boutique store.

The cafes, bars, pubs, clubs are places where people can meet informally or be “together alone”. These businesses, allowing for planned and accidental encounters across different times of the day, are essential for a healthy neighbourhood social life or “sense” of community.

As the article states, this sense of community has led for some property developers to see the sustained benefit of creating community hubs providing more places for residents and visitors to spend their spare time.