The Alley -

[packman]

"In the centuries before World War I, Clay wrote, alleys had been vital to American cities, hosting everything from stables to housing. After the Civil War, for instance, 300,000 newly freed slaves lived in improvised housing along Washington, D.C., alleys, especially in the Southwest quadrant. By the 1920s and ’30s, cheap tract development needed only easements out back, and boatlike “affluential token” cars were meant to be parked out front. By 1961 the Community Planners' Handbook advised: “Alleys are no longer desirable nor considered necessary. Their disappearance is one of the advances which has been made in land planning during the motor age.”

Clay was among the few to argue that American alleys could and should be reimagined. They could be used as space for homes and businesses, he said, predicting that commuting costs would increase and older city blocks would shoot up in value. Almost a half-century later, commuting costs have indeed grown, many older city blocks have rebounded to command the highest prices, and walkable neighborhoods have become some of the nation’s most desirable"

I spent many an hour with my gang in my green salad days of youth in the neighborhood alleys playing basketball, smoking the forbidden cigarette stolen from friend's fathers, drinking sodas and spitting and acting tough beyond our years. Alleys provided the escape from the main streets where adults lived and imposed rules - alleys belonged to us.

More:
https://www.citylab.com/design/2018/07/how-to-make-alleys-better-places/565028/?ref=hvper.com&utm_source=hvper.com&utm_medium=website

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. Beautiful picture.

Cool story and info.

[flying_wahini]

2. Wow! that's a nice alley!

Don't think I have ever seen a nicer one.