In an age defined by digital interactions and increasing isolation, Dr. Richard Kyte's work offers a vital reminder: true human connection thrives in shared spaces. More than just physical locations, these "third places"—the coffee shops, parks, and community centers outside of our homes and workplaces—are the lifeblood of our social fabric.

Dr. Kyte, a thought leader and educator, illuminates the transformative power of these often-overlooked spaces in his book, "Finding Your Third Place: The Art of Making Room for Friends." He argues that these informal settings are crucial for our mental and emotional well-being, serving as metaphorical hubs for building meaningful relationships. "True connection isn’t about the space you occupy, it’s about how you engage with the people around you," he emphasizes.

His insights challenge us to reevaluate how we design our environments, from our cities to our personal lives. By focusing on hospitality, interdependence, and the cultivation of genuine interactions, Dr. Kyte encourages us to create spaces where we can meet, support, and grow together. He reminds us that "the deepest friendships arise when people go through real struggles together," and it is through these shared experiences that we truly connect and thrive.

Join us as we delve into Dr. Kyte's wisdom and explore how we can redesign our social fabric, one "third place" at a time.

Nico Larco is a visionary leader and changemaker at the intersection of architecture, urban design, and sustainable development. 

As a Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Urbanism Next Center, and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Initiative, Nico has dedicated his career to designing environments that inspire human connection, improve our collective well-being, and contribute to a healthier planet.

How can a one-day event spark lasting change? How can community design be open sourced? What should we be measuring if we want to gauge positive change?

I talk with transportation and placemaking expert, Andrew Howard about his experiences doing just this with Team Better Block. Andrew is the director of placemaking at WGI, a national design and professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. Andrew co-founded Better Block in 2010 as a transportation and placemaking focused public outreach firm that temporarily re-engineers auto-dominated, blighted, and underused urban areas into vibrant centers.