includi by aatvos

03/09/2026

Can third places exist online? 🌐

In a recent article for Salon, Alex Galbraith explores how the internet is losing the informal spaces where people once gathered, met 'familiar strangers', and built community. Forums and blogs are increasingly replaced by algorithmic feeds, bots, and passive consumption.

Can a digital space ever replace a physical one? Amy Goedhart, urban anthropologist at includi, shares her take:

“Online communities can fulfill some social functions, but they are not third places in the fullest sense. Physical presence makes an encounter immediate and humane: we meet beyond the keyboard through body language, spontaneous conversation, and eye contact. That embodied serendipity cannot be replicated on a screen. Still, as we lose spaces for genuine encounter—online or offline—we risk losing part of our shared humanity.”

What do you think? Can an online community ever be a true third place? 👇

Read the full article here: https://www.salon.com/2026/08/23/the-internet-is-losing-its-third-places/

01/09/2026

Third places can be living learning environments – places where people discover interests, develop skills and learn from each other. But how can we intentionally support this kind of active learning?

Discover below 👇

Want to explore the full model? 📖 Order our book Come, Stay, Grow here: https://www.includi.com/nl/product/come-stay-grow/

26/08/2026

What does it actually take to create a third place that works? ✨ There’s no single recipe. But there are actionable tools, strategies, and checklists to help turn the ambition of creating connection and belonging into reality, grounded in our model Third Place Fundamentals.

That’s what we explore in Come, Stay, Grow. 🙌

🌐 Available in English, German, and Dutch.
📖 Order your copy here: https://www.includi.com/nl/product/come-stay-grow

18/08/2026

Must-read guest blog! ✨ Earlier this year at the Third Place Summit in Rotterdam at Luxor Theater , international keynote speakers set the tone for a bold conversation about the future of shared spaces.

One of the highlights was B. Joseph Pine II, co-author of The Experience Economy and The Transformation Economy.

In his guest blog for includi, Joe explores how third places can serve as a "chrysalis": a nurturing, liminal space where individuals undergo personal transformation. 🦋

Read Joe Pine's full guest blog via this link: https://www.includi.com/insights/joe-pine-third-place-to-transformation-chrysalis/

12/08/2026

"We shouldn't be surprised that kids spend all day online when we haven't given them anywhere better to go." That observation from sociologist Eric Klinenberg stuck with us.

Tomorrow is International Youth Day 2026. This year's theme is Different Contexts, Common Aspirations – a reminder that wherever young people grow up, they are reaching for the same things: dignity, opportunity, and a place to belong. But belonging doesn't happen by accident; it has to be designed.

In our book, Come Stay Grow, we looked at how Permeke Library in Antwerp made that happen. Project lead Laure Ruts and her team built KUBUS, a youth library designed with young people, not just for them. One visitor's idea to fight loneliness became "Unlonely," a biweekly gathering that is still running today. That is just one example of what happens when you give young people real ownership instead of just a seat at the table.

Klinenberg's point wasn't that young people don't want social
connection. It's that urban planners stopped investing in the places
where community happens. If we want cities that work for the next
generation, that's where to start.

The full interviews with Eric Klinenberg, Laure Ruts, and other experts can be found in Come Stay Grow. Get your copy here: https://www.includi.com/nl/product/come-stay-grow/

Photo credits: Beton-T - Tanno Witkamp

06/08/2026

Creating local connection through community co-creation! 🧵✨

In our projects, we love involving residents directly — from user research to incorporating local heritage. A wonderful example of this is 'The Nest' in the library of Alphen aan den Rijn, created by waste textile artist Femke van Gemert.

This immersive art installation is made entirely from discarded textiles donated by local residents. Through hands-on workshops, people of all ages cut, twisted, and braided fabrics together, creating a cozy feature where visitors — especially children — love to stay and explore. 💙

As Femke beautifully shared: “Working together with our hands sparked so many meaningful connections. To me, The Nest became much more than just a piece of art; it truly belongs to the people of Alphen.”

We couldn't agree more. 💛

Credits: Femke van Gemert (waste textile artist) / photography: Jeroen Musch

04/08/2026

Reading tip: 'De Tussenruimte' 📖

Complex societal challenges demand new ways of working together. Across the Netherlands, "in-between spaces" are emerging: physical places where people from different organizations, sectors, and disciplines collaborate on pressing social issues.

In this publication, our Creative Director Aat Vos explains how these in-between spaces function as third places – and what makes them succesful. The secret? Balancing 3 crucial elements:
1. Physical Space – Accessible, sensory, comfortable, and safe. 🏢
2. Programming & Content – A dynamic mix of functions that fosters serendipitous encounters. 🗓️
3. Management & Hospitality – An active team that manages the space and guarantees a welcoming culture. 💛

Complex problems cannot be solved by one organization alone. In-between spaces offer the room we need to meet, exchange experiences, and pioneer new approaches together.

Published by Ambtelijk Vakmanschap in collaboration with Nieuw Zwanenburg.
👉 Read/download here: https://www.nieuwzwanenburg.nl/tussenruimtes

02/08/2026

Deichman Stovner library in Oslo recently celebrated its 50th anniversary! 🎉

With over 330,000 visitors annually, it is the 2nd most visited library in Oslo. In 2018, includi had the honor to redesign this space in co-creation with Artisan Tech AS into an inclusive third place inspired by nature and local identity. ✨

Read more about the project here: https://www.includi.com/nl/projecten/deichman-stovner/

28/07/2026

Since spring 2025, the Caribbean island of Bonaire has a new library: a temporary location, but one making a massive impact. From day one, the new Biblioteka Públiko Boneiru has transformed into a vibrant community hub and perhaps the only public space on the island where everyone is truly welcome to just stay and belong. 💛

Swipe through to explore a few highlights from this remarkable community library — awarded the BID Award for the most positive government organization in the Netherlands (2025) and nominated for Best Library 2026! 🏆

📖 The complete case study on Bibliotheek Bonaire is featured in our book, Come Stay Grow. Get your copy here: https://www.includi.com/nl/product/come-stay-grow/

26/07/2026

A car-free street with party tents, inflatable pools, and a community bar? 🎊

Residents in Tilburg (Netherlands) turned their street into a month–long neighborhood campsite! Swapping parking spots for shared activities, neighbors gather daily for barbecues, game nights and creative workshops. ♟️✨

At includi, we love seeing the concdept of the 'public living room' brought directly to the streets. Grassroots initiatives like this place human connections at the heart of the community - turning strangers into neigbors right on their doorstep. 💛

Read the full story from NOS & Omroep Brabant here👇
https://nos.nl/artikel/2623624-auto-s-weg-partytent-op-tilburgers-vieren-vakantie-in-eigen-straat

In Tilburg is de zogenoemde 'leefstraat' een groot succes: dezelfde straat is daar deze zomer voor de achtste keer omgetoverd tot ontmoetingsplek voor bewoners.