The alley opening

New Urban News Technical Page by Andres Duany, Michael Morrissey, and Patrick Pinnell

The patterns of alley geometry and alley-associated buildings, where they meet the block faces and surrounding streets, may be usefully adjusted in a variety of ways. It is necessary to understand standard configurations, but also how they may be tuned to local situations.

Adjustments begin with some study of the alley’s contribution to the character of the block as a whole. While there is no predestination, different alley configurations will tend to balance the utilitarian aspects of the block interior with its social and psychological uses. Some configurations, too, are more easily adaptable over time and changing circumstances. It is wise to make a habit of consciously calibrating alley intentions, even though no certain match of form and fate is possible in any urban element.