My Third Place Writing Campaign

The 2012 deadline has passed.

The Third Place is a concept espoused by Urban Sociologist Ray Oldenberg in his book The Great GoodPlace (1989, 1991) which refers to the notion that social surroundings are separate from the tacit social environments of home and work; the first two places. Oldenberg's premise is that third places provide for and contribute to civil society, democracy, civic engagement, and creating a sense of place

As part of the 2011-2012 writing campaign, the Division extended the question to its membership and other like-minded professionals:

"What is your Third Place"?

All submissions were due by January 31, 2012. The winning author Mike Agnew, AICP, of Wausau, Wisconsin received and iPad2 wi-fi courtesy of the Urban Design and Preservation Division for his submission Tom's Skelly Service. Check the Division newsletter and this site for future postings of the formatted My Third Place submissions.

2010-2011

My One City

 The UDP 2010-2011 My One City writing campaign sought to expose and stimulate planners to discovering, in 300 words or less, their favorite city. Following is the campaign message distributed.

Discovering new cities and places is something planners' embrace. Please consider contributing to "My One City" by sharing your favorite city, from your perspective, in 300 words or less. Tell us about your favorite city, what makes it special, and what planners should know about it.

The winning submission was "St. Louis" by Alexandra Reisman. Ms. Reisman was awarded a free registration for the April 2011 National APA Conference in Boston.

Other select entries will be published in the Division's quarterly newsletter.

All My One City submissions (pdf)