Alley Love
A look at the revitalization of our cities’ backstreets
A city’s backstreets are sometimes the best places to see its true identity. Make a turn on the high street and you can quickly end up in the alleyways, which, in many parts of the world, are experiencing an urban revival.
Instead of being the unpopular space for utilities, cities around the world are reimagining and remaking backstreets with art installations, performance spaces, and neighborhood businesses. Transforming urban public alleyway spaces often adds value to the entire district by improving micro-mobility and connectivity, increasing opportunities for nature and small businesses, and creating space for public art and community events.
The Laneway Project is a non-profit social enterprise from Toronto made up of urban planners, designers, and placemakers who want to bring neglected alleys to life. In addition to their hands-on, laneway-transforming projects, the organization provides educational resources such as How-To Guides and a Toolkit for turning laneways into vibrant public spaces. The Alley Network Project in Seattle has reclaimed alleys in Pioneer Square, the city’s oldest neighborhood, as active public spaces that host events such as a Poetry Carnival and an alley cat adopt-a-thon. In Montreal, a movement of Ruelle Vertes/Green Alleys that began in the 90s has turned over 100 alleys into mini gardens built and maintained by residents. Meanwhile, we see similar movements in Austin and Sydney, where each city takes a unique approach to activate laneways as meaningful, memorable gathering spaces for residents and visitors alike.
Developers have been taking notes on the value of backstreets. In a newly formed joint venture, developer WS is stewarding a collaborative effort to redevelop Boston’s iconic Fenway neighborhood. The 5-acre project includes the conversion of Arthur’s Alley from a narrow service corridor to an activated and intimate alley-scape with shops and cafes, while preserving the street’s grittiness and authenticity.