7.4. Mid-Block Alley

Within Small Blocks, make sure there is room where needed for vehicular access.

Problem-statement: Within and through the interior of a block, there is a need for low-speed vehicular and pedestrian movement.

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Discussion: The mid-block alley can provide an important function of service access, car parking, utility easements, and movement of pedestrians and vehicles. But a number of conditions need to be carefully considered.

One of the most important is to ensure that the alley is safe, which generally requires good sight distance from the windows of adjacent buildings. An additional measure of security is provided by accessory dwellings (“carriage houses”) positioned directly on the alleys.

An additional concern is that the alleys should not disrupt the pedestrian character of the intersecting streets. This is best accomplished by enclosing the buildings on either side of the alley at the street, to make the entrance as narrow as possible (typically approx. 6 meters or 20 feet).

A mid-block alley in Seabrook, Washington, also pictured in the photo at the beginning of this pattern.

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Therefore:

Where vehicular access is needed to the interiors of blocks, consider using a mid-block alley. Place dry utilities in this alley easement, and provide parking as needed. Assure that there is good visibility on the alley from adjacent buildings to provide minimal security.

Make the mid-block alley attractive to pedestrians, lining it with garages and accessory dwellings. Provide Human-Scale Detail and Construction Ornament. Assure that there are Layered Zones between the indoors and outdoors, with windows overlooking the alley and providing natural surveillance. …

¹ A useful discussion of the pros and cons of alleys can be found in Martin, M. D. (2001). The question of alleys, revisited. Urban Design International, 6(2), 76-92.

Mehaffy, M. et al. (2020). MID-BLOCK ALLEY (pattern). In A New Pattern Language for Growing Regions. The Dalles: Sustasis Press. Available at https://pattern-language.wiki/.../Mid-Block_Alley

7.4. Mid-Block Alley

Aus Pattern Language Wiki

Therefore:

SECTION I:

PATTERNS OF SCALE

1. REGIONAL PATTERNS

2. URBAN PATTERNS

3. STREET PATTERNS

4. NEIGHBORHOOD PATTERNS

5. SPECIAL USE PATTERNS

6. PUBLIC SPACE PATTERNS

7. BLOCK AND PLOT PATTERNS

8. STREETSCAPE PATTERNS

9. BUILDING PATTERNS

10. BUILDING EDGE PATTERNS

SECTION II:

PATTERNS OF MULTIPLE SCALE

11. GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

12. AFFORDANCE PATTERNS

13. RETROFIT PATTERNS

14. INFORMAL GROWTH PATTERNS

15. CONSTRUCTION PATTERNS

SECTION III:

PATTERNS OF PROCESS

16. IMPLEMENTATION TOOL PATTERNS

17. PROJECT ECONOMICS PATTERNS

18. PLACE GOVERNANCE PATTERNS

19. AFFORDABILITY PATTERNS

20. NEW TECHNOLOGY PATTERNS