Forgotten Alley Experiment Provides Route to Vancouver's Green Ambitions

Launched a decade ago, Vancouver's 'country lane' demonstration project proved how the city's back alleys could provide attractive and accessible open spaces. As the city seeks ways to provide more green space, it's time to revisit the experiment.

1 minute read

July 22, 2013, 10:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


One initiative being considered to help Vancouver reach its goal of becoming the world’s greenest city "is the improvement of its residential alleyways, from mundane, paved side streets filled with detritus and parked cars to spiffy pedestrian-friendly avenues interspersed with vegetable gardens and micro-parks," writes Brian Hutchinson. "The push is on, with city-managed open houses last month. But these are pie-in-the sky discussions with inscrutable visual presentations."

"A former city planner wonders why Vancouver doesn’t just revisit a simple experiment launched a decade ago; it saw several back alleys transformed into grassy and accessible 'country lanes.'" 

"Most Vancouverites don’t even know they exist [only three were completed], but those whose homes back onto the greened-up lanes appreciate them a great deal," notes Hutchinson. "Surveys conducted among residents living alongside the experimental lanes indicated a majority were very satisfied, finding them attractive and more useful than paved routes."

"Later this month, [Mike] Klassen [conservative pundit and country lane neighbor] is planning to hold a 10-year 'anniversary celebration' in recognition of his beloved back lane. He’d like to see Vancouver city council revisit the experiment, which he thinks compares well to the more complicated lane way initiatives now being pursued." 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013 in National Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

45 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA