Seattle Residents Help Transform Alleys into Useful Public Spaces

Nord Alley in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood has undergone a revitalization, thanks to the efforts of local residents. When Todd Vogel opened up offices of the International Sustainability Institute (ISI) on the alley two years ago, the area was dismal, with boarded-up windows and garbage dumpsters filling the corridor. He began cleaning up the derelict alley by setting out patio furniture, adding planters and light filters to windows, and installing an art project. The effort had far-reaching consequences: The City of Seattle has taken notice of the revitalized alley way and started its own inventory of how pedestrians use public spaces and what factors drive people to walk instead of using other modes of transportation. Nord Alley has served as a model on how public spaces can be revitalized to make them more interesting.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7562