ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how suburban Chinese and South Asian retail clusters in Toronto have evolved over time and created a sense of place and community. It explores how third places are created within Chinese and South Asian sites and across two ethnic groups. The chapter explains how ethno-cultural diversity impacts the use, value and operation of third places will contribute to the literature on diversity-oriented place-making practices. Third places are described as 'inclusively sociable, offering both the basis of community and the celebration of it'. It can be applied to many types of places, from private businesses, such as barbershops, cafes, restaurants, bars and shopping plazas, to public spaces, which may host 'regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings'. Suburban sprawl has created a reliance on cars to the detriment of walkable neighbourhoods and pedestrian accessible amenities and places for people to meet.
