Once again, Chicago leads the way:
Chicago has decided to retrofit its alleys with environmentally sustainable road-building materials under its Green Alley initiative… In a green alley, water is allowed to penetrate the soil through the pavement itself, which consists of the relatively new but little-used technology of permeable concrete or porous asphalt. Then the water, filtered through stone beds under the permeable surface layer, recharges the underground water table instead of ending up as polluted runoff in rivers and streams.
Story here.
Vancouver has a demonstration project on Crown Street, and more sustainable lane options. http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/streets/design/enviro.htm
I consider myself very lucky to live beside Vancouver’s first Country Lane, and can’t say enough about what a great neighbourhood feature this is. It truly is one of the great fixtures of our East Van community, a place where we gather for summer BBQs, neighbours stroll and kids play. You can’t say that about many back alleys around town.
If infill (lane) housing is the way of Vancouver’s future, then we must make alleys more like streets and less a place to leave your garbage cans.
I look forward to seeing more development like this.