An outline of David Fleming’s criteria for an ideal public space: click to see larger image./ image: author and Piktochart

To explain the ways in which micro-spaces, such as Novack Cafe, create a sense of community, we must first establish what the criteria for a good community are. For  author David Fleming, there are six key components that constitute an ideal community: heterogeneity, publicity, security, identity, size, and density, which I will explain in more depth below. According to Fleming, these elements work together to create an ideal community by encouraging discourse, or open communication between members of a community. This in turn leads to a friendlier, safer environment and higher levels of democracy. Through regular contact with others, everyone can establish friendly relations with each other and have their voices heard.

Heterogeneity: For Fleming, heterogeneity has two meanings: First, it can refer to the diversity of people found in a particular space, including a mixture of different ages, races, socioeconomic statuses and beliefs. When someone lives in a diverse community, they are more likely to consider a wide range of different perspectives. The second refers to diversity of use. When a community has a space in which multiple aspects of a person’s life can come together, they are more likely to run into and converse with people who they normally wouldn’t encounter.

Publicity:

Fleming defines publicity using two main concepts: first, a public space should be open and easily accessible to everyone in a community and second, it should be a space than encourages freedom of speech and the expression of political opinions. Fleming’s ideal community serves as a public forum where anyone can share their opinions and interact freely with others, whether this interaction is an actual conversation, a written message, a polite gesture (Fleming uses the example of saying “bless you” after somebody sneezes), or even benevolent mutual acknowledgement . These simple gestures can result in the formation of weak, but positive bonds with multiple people, eventually creating and environment in which everyone feels safe and accepted. In addition to fostering a sense of inclusion, publicity also makes individuals more accountable for their words and actions by putting them in the full view of others, where they are open to criticism.

Security:

Meaningful discourse is more likely to occur in a given space if individuals feel safe and protected there. There should be plenty of opportunity for random contact with strangers, but at the same time, there should be a measure of order and privacy.

Identity:

An ideal community should promote a sense of inclusion, belonging, and “shared values” for all of its members that individuals consider in their discussions.

Size:

Fleming believes that larger communities, such as cities and neighborhoods are ideal because they present more opportunities for individuals to encounter strangers and participate in meaningful discourse. Because large communities can be broken up into multiple sub-groups, individuals can communicate more often with a greater variety of other individuals.

Density: 

In addition to size, a community must also have density. For more random encounters to occur, it is better for community members to come together in a bound space where they are likely to run into each other than to be spread out.