Alleys

View of narrow alley on Philadelphia's Quince Street with fall leaves.

Video: A ‘European-Style’ Street in Philadelphia

With its narrow lanes and mature trees, Philadelphia’s Quince Street illustrates what’s possible.

December 28, 2023 - Next City

Philadelphia Rowhouses

Designing Homes for the In-between Spaces

"Leftover lots" are the object of one Philadelphia-based architecture firm's fascination.

June 8, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Creating Friendly Alleys in Phoenix

A pilot program in Phoenix looks to add art, lighting, seating and other amenities to beautify and make use of the city's alleyways.

November 14, 2016 - Next City

Alleys as a Community Asset

Often overlooked, alleys can be transformed into valuable community spaces

July 17, 2016 - CityLab

Philadelphia Alleyway

Philadelphia Alleys Ranked for Makeover

In advance of what may be a wider program, Philadelphia's alleys have been ranked for their aesthetic quality. Those in the "average" range are most suitable for retrofits.

November 17, 2015 - The Architect's Newspaper

Seattle's Alleys Getting a Face-Lift

Since 2010, planners, designers, and community members have been actively transforming Seattle's alleys into beloved places within the city's urban fabric.

July 17, 2015 - The Seattle Times

Belden Place

Four Cities Making the Most of Alley Spaces

Urbanful examines four cities making the most of scare public spaces by reactivating their alleys with programming and pedestrian-friendly designs.

December 30, 2014 - Urbanful

Alley Scene

Alleyways as Pathways to Urban Revitalization

From D.C. to Seattle, alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly spaces. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages to become havens for pedestrians, public art, and small business.

April 22, 2014 - Elevation DC

Edinburgh

Why Urban History Matters

Chuck Wolfe's recent reconnaissance of Edinburgh provides a foil for his rallying cry: Going forward, let’s not discount the influence of history’s recurring themes in how we redevelop the urban realm.

March 4, 2014 - myurbanist

Alley Scene

The Revitalizing Power of Alleys

Cities around the country are implementing alley improvement programs as a tool for neighborhood revitalization, with benefits to the economy and the environment. A recent article celebrates the strides cities have made in reclaiming alley spaces.

February 11, 2014 - Urbanophile

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.

July 22, 2013 - National Post

Alley Rally Aims to Examine the City's Forgotten Spaces

In popular culture alleyways are often depicted as the setting for illicit acts. But seen in a different light, alleys are key contributors to urban life. SPUR kicks off a week of alley exploration with an essay on their benefits.

May 19, 2013 - SPUR

Urbanism Without Effort

Chuck Wolfe says that urbanism that can readily occur in urban neighborhoods "without really trying" as people naturally come together in impromptu ways.

September 12, 2011 - myurbanist

Reconsidering the Urban Alley

Alyse Nelson takes a look at a handful of alleys that were transformed from crusty dumping grounds into beautiful urban spaces.

August 27, 2011 - SightlineDaily

Tenderloin National Forest

An unconventional outdoor spaces has helped transform a small part of a problem-riddled San Francisco neighborhood.

August 18, 2011 - Next American City

When Small Alleys Cause Big Headaches

Getting the City of Boston to pick up the tab for maintenance and repair of certain alleyways has proved frustrating for residents of the city's South End, due to high costs and restrictions associated with transferring ownership rights to the city.

November 8, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Living Alley Establishes Permanent Roots in San Francisco Neighborhood

Street furniture and plantings transform a small strip of roadway within a bustling San Francisco neighborhood, much to the delight of the planners and designers who fought for the change for over five years.

October 26, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Success in San Francisco Alleyways

This piece from The Examiner looks at the alleyways of San Francisco and how they have become activated in recent years.

April 1, 2010 - Examiner

Rethinking Urban Alleyways in Seattle

Through a new competition, the city of Seattle is looking to revive and reuse the alleys of the urban core.

March 18, 2010 - Crosscut

Breathing Life Back into Seattle's Alleys

The City of Seattle is looking to revive some of its often forgotten and neglected urban spaces: alleys.

February 28, 2010 - The Seattle Times

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