Urban laneways: lost spaces or undiscovered treasures?
Laneway (re)development is very much in fashion
I recently visited Auckland, the largest city on New Zealand’s north island. Surrounded by water, with steep hills and sweeping views, the city has plenty to offer those who plan to stay a few days.
Auckland, like many cities, encourages laneway development and activation throughout the city centre. Laneways are small-scale public streets that adjoin directly to buildings. Vehicles and pedestrians can be accommodated in urban laneways, though most activation strategies focus on pedestrianisation.
Considering laneway activation has become a key part of urban (re)development and placemaking in cities around the world, it is worth understanding the motivations of the planners, designers, and policymakers who champion this approach.
The benefits of urban laneways
The benefits of urban laneways are experienced by residents and visitors, as well as leveraged by policymakers to secure support for further action.
Environmental benefits are often the first to be emphasised. Many cities use laneway development as a mechanism to increase green space in city centres. With proper urban and environmental design, laneways can be transformed into community spaces. New trees, greenery, and gardens can provide shade and a soothing place to stop.
Converting laneways into small greenspaces or pocket parks can provide a short, welcome break from the pace and noise of many city centres. Laneways can offer shelter and shade, as well as provide a quieter place and that promotes safety and visual amenity. They are often great locations for public art projects too.
Laneways can also provide spaces for formal and informal social interaction. They may become important landmarks or meeting places. City councils often establish commercial arrangements with adjacent or new businesses to offer food, drink, and entertainment options.
Increasing social opportunities and amenities enhance the recreational benefits of laneways by providing more chance for interaction. Over time this can create destinations that people actively want to spend time in, drawing in even more people and establishing a strong sense of place.
Laneways can also improve accessibility and connectivity by providing cross-block and through-block pedestrian linkages. These short-cuts can positively assist accessibility and connectivity in the street networks of inner-city areas. When focused on high-quality pedestrian experience, laneway developments can be helpful to people with disabilities and reduced mobilities, as well as parents and their children.
There are many economic impacts laneway activation can bring to a city, including:
Catalysing growth and density increase in city centres;
More commercial activity to drive the growth of day and night-time economies;
More consumer spending increases tax and rate collections;
Uplift of surrounding property values, which may be subject to value capture;
Increases in the diversity of entertainment and fine-grain opportunities in cities.
What to consider when planning for laneway activation
Laneways are often planned around two broad points of consideration.
The first key thing to identify and consider are spatial relationships. In other words, councils should carefully investigate the best possible locations for laneway revitalisation. Through this process, they can determine which laneways appear to have the highest potential to catalyse organic development, encourage small businesses, and draw people in.
Once shortlisting is complete, the next step is the identification of local community needs. Since the surrounding urban communities will be the primary users of activated laneways, city councils need to carefully establish what these communities require from laneways.
Information campaigns and public consultation help determine whether local communities understand and support laneway revitalisation. Once communities are on board, they may be invited to become co-designers. Input from locals may be especially helpful in designing and activating laneway spaces that are spatially and culturally resonant, rather than generic urban spaces with little relationship to their setting.
The more care, engagement, and attention that councils apply to laneway planning, the more likely it is that the final developments will succeed and sustain their values and benefits over time.
Final thoughts
Laneway (re)development and activation is an urban planning and design approach that is in fashion in many cities around the world. The potential for benefits, improved urban experience and placemaking are hard for councils to ignore. Residents and visitors are often drawn to these spaces, making them important urban assets.
Some cities, like Melbourne, are already famous for the quality, style, and experience of their activated urban laneways. These important public spaces function year-round and are often important contributors today and night-time economies. Other cities have much to learn from positive demonstrations like this.
Ultimately, it is vital for success that local contexts and communities are central to planning and placemaking through laneway (re)development and activation strategies.
Another thoughtful, and very useful piece, thanks.