The 'Ultimate Pedestrian Environment': Alleys

Alleys -- considered by many to be dangerous or neglected, can become a fertile ground for 'organic new urbanism', says architect David Winslow.

1 minute read

October 24, 2006, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Those narrow forgotten streets behind buildings in large cities are undiscovered gold to Winslow..."

"...Twenty years ago when he was a student in Rome, Winslow began work on his master's thesis using that city as his model. Walking the streets and alleys of Trastevere, he found the vicoli -- the narrowest and oldest streets -- are densely packed and the most vibrant, and he began to wonder, if he looked hard enough, would he find alleys in American cities that work as well."

..." 'It is a model for future developments,' said Newsom. 'Revitalizing our alleyways and looking at them in a different way is the direction the city wants greening to go...with community involvement at this level, we want to do an adopt-an-alley program in San Francisco.' "

Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth

Monday, October 23, 2006 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Two people on bikes riding down paved Burke-Gilman bike trail in King County, Washington on a sunny day.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network

The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

1 hour ago - Momentum Magazine

Small green ADU cottage in lush backyard in San Jose, California.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits

The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

2 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Large oak tree in meadow with sun filtering from behind it in Angeles National Forest.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods

Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.

3 hours ago - ASLA The Dirt