What Happens When Community Spaces Vanish?

What Happens When Community Spaces Vanish?

From The Rundown by TVO

June 10, 2026 · 29 min

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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