
About this episode
The episode explores the impact of disappearing community spaces on social life and the fight to save Sneaky Dee's in Toronto.
What happens when the spaces people rely on to connect outside of home and work begin to disappear? The idea of the "third place," first defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, points to the everyday settings that foster community and belonging, and experts say they remain critical to health and happiness. Debbie Laliberte Rudman of Western University, urban planner Corey Horowitz of DIALOG, and cultural programmer Said Yassin examine how these spaces shape social life and what is at risk as cities evolve. Then, a fight to save one of Toronto's most recognizable gathering spots brings that question into focus, as organizers mobilize petitions and pack city hall committee rooms to protect the iconic dive bar Sneaky Dee's, with general manager George Diamantouros on the front lines of a battle over what the city stands to lose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: The Rundown
Guests: Debbie Laliberte Rudman, Corey Horowitz, Said Yassin
Topics covered
- community spaces
- third place
- urban planning
- social life
- Toronto
- cultural programming
Keywords
- community
- third place
- urban planning
- social connection
- Toronto
- Sneaky Dee's
- health
- happiness
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Western University, DIALOG
Books & works: The Rundown
Places: Toronto, Sneaky Dee's
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