Building Belonging: How Cities Can Design Third Spaces to Boost Mental Health

The absence of accessible, inclusive third spaces has tangible impacts on community mental health. While parks, libraries, and cafés exist physically, the degree to which they serve as true gathering and engagement spaces depends on intentional design and programming. Research increasingly supports the idea that social infrastructure - the physical spaces and programs that support social interaction - plays a critical role in shaping mental well-being. When residents have access to safe, welcoming environments where they can connect with others, the risk of social isolation diminishes, and the likelihood of experiencing chronic stress or depression decreases significantly¹.

Municipal governments can take practical steps to enhance the mental wellness of their communities by investing in these spaces. This might include reimagining underutilized civic buildings as community hubs, funding neighborhood-driven programming in parks, or supporting the development of non-commercial gathering places such as tool libraries or community kitchens. Prioritizing co-design with residents ensures that the resulting spaces reflect the needs and preferences of the community, which in turn increases their utilization and impact. Cities such as Toronto and Seattle have piloted such approaches with measurable improvements in community engagement and self-reported well-being².

Designing for Belonging and Connection

Creating meaningful third spaces requires more than just physical infrastructure. The way a space is programmed, maintained, and governed heavily influences whether residents will feel comfortable engaging with others there. For example, a park that includes multilingual signage, shaded seating, and free arts programming is more likely to attract diverse community members than one that simply offers open grass. Municipal staff should collaborate with local organizations, including mental health nonprofits, to shape environments that promote psychological safety and cultural inclusivity³.

Programming also plays an essential role in fostering connection. Regular, low-barrier activities such as walking groups, intergenerational storytelling circles, or community gardening not only activate a space but also provide structured ways for people to interact. These kinds of engagements reduce the burden on individuals to initiate social contact and instead create shared rituals that build trust over time. When the municipality supports these efforts, either through grants, staffing, or logistical coordination, it signals a commitment to social cohesion as a public health priority⁴.

The Mental Health Impact of Social Isolation

Chronic social isolation is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and even physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. The U.S. Surgeon General identified loneliness as a pressing public health concern, emphasizing that the effects of disconnection can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day⁵