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Green Alley Programs: Planning for a Sustainable Urban Infrastructure?

CSS Publication Number
CSS13-01
Full Publication Date
April 2013
Abstract

Revitalization of urban alleys, underway in cities and towns in North America, Europe, and other regions, can be seen as a manifestation of a broader movement among city agencies, planners, and community groups to expand green urban infrastructure and promote sustainability. This article analyzes alley greening programs in seven cities in the United States using the lens of sustainability planning. Study results indicate that most alley greening programs are narrowly oriented toward stormwater management. An in-depth exploration of the alley greening program in the city of Los Angeles illustrates how a more robust commitment to sustainability – through the adoption of goals related to environmental protection, economic development, and social equity – might be actualized in the context of alley greening efforts. The article also considers the role of collaboration in developing integrative sustainability programs around alleys.

Co-Author(s)
Jennifer Renteria
Jennifer Wolch
Mona Seymour
Thomas Yee
Travis Longcore
Research Areas
Communities
Urban Systems and Built Environment
Keywords
Alleys, Green Infrastructure, Los Angeles, Planning, Urban Sustainability
Publication Type
Journal Article
Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2012.07.004
Full Citation
Newell, Joshua P., Mona Seymour, Thomas Yee, Jennifer Renteria, Travis Longcore, Jennifer R. Wolch and Anne Shishkovsky. (2013) “Green Alley Programs: Planning for a sustainable urban infrastructure?” J. Cities 31: 144-155.