Back Alleys are now an option in the real estate market

A new approach being taken is making cities think of the back alleys behind the houses as something more than access routes to garbage. These dangerous, dark and dank alleys are now being considered to be valuable as real estate properties. It can be of use to make the area environment friendly and change the quality of life in the city.

The trash bins that have been eyesores are being got rid of and replaced by small garden patches and sidewalk eateries to encourage citizens to use these long-neglected spaces. Some cities are resurfacing the alleys with porous stuff that absorbs rain water and lessens the impact of runoff.

Craig Lewis of Lawrence Group Town Planners and Architects of Davidson said, “The biggest issue with alleys is not what folks are doing to retrofit them but the fact that folks are rediscovering them. New alleys are used for everything you would imagine.”

With time this green-alley campaign is gaining popularity. It was created in December 2008 to reduce pollutant runoffs rushing into the oceans. More creative ideas are coming up. Professor Jennifer Wolch specializes in geography. She is the director of Center for Sustainable Cities at University of Southern California. She said, “Mostly, alleys are very underutilized, which can lead to unsavory activities.” It was her research on the subject that gave the inspiration the movement. Wolch commented that alleys can come to multiple uses by improving quality of water to providing space for the public. She said it will enable people to either walk or cycle around instead of driving. People can easily go out without burning fuel to interact with each other.

In Seattle the measure was launched under the name – Clear Alleys Program. It prohibits placing of dumpsters as well as recycling and compost containers in alleys within 2 square miles from the commercial core of the city. Tom Gannon of Seattle Public Utilities said, “We’re trying to make downtown more livable. The ultimate goal is to have more people use the alleys. The ultimate goal is to have more people use the alleys.”

The cleared alleys are now much safer because of being free from obstacles. There are less number of nooks and corners to harbour shady characters. The garbage will be kept in colour coded bags that will be collected a minimum of three times per day by trucks running on gas.

The green-alley programme has also been introduced in Chicago since 2006.

Related tags

  • Jennifer Wolch ALLEY#

  • Seattle Greening Back alleys

  • Why have some cities gotten rid of alleys

  • alleys in cities

  • cities that have back alleys

  • seattle back alleys

  • cities with alleys -bowling

  • seo forum

We suggest you to read about: