Page "Community" Paragraph 10

The same patterns are also evident in many other western countries.

Western cultures are thus said to be losing the spirit of community that once were found in institutions including churches and community centers.

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg states in The Great Good Place that people need three places: 1 ) the home, 2 ) the office, and, 3 ) the community hangout or gathering place.

With this philosophy in mind, many grassroots efforts such as The Project for Public Spaces are being started to create this " Third Place " in communities.

They are taking form in independent bookstores, coffeehouses, local pubs, and through new and innovative means to create the social capital needed to foster the sense and spirit of community.