Lots of good music has come out of Chicago – the “greatest blues label” Chess Records, Common, Kanye West, all come out of Chi-city. Frank Gehry’s got a small outdoor venue built in a park there. There’s also been some really great sustainable urban development led by Mayor Daley including park improvements, green rooftops. The latest (well, I’ve only just read about it but it’s been going on for two years) are “green alleys“. Porous concrete helps water reach the subsoil, recycled materials are used to make some of the concrete. The city has even compiled a handbook outlining possible layouts for a green alley. They’re supposed to be “more inviting” – and maybe they will be with their light reflective paving stones and rain gardens. I’ve always found a certain charm in alleys, the behind-the-scenes space between businesses, houses and other buildings – heck, I grew up playing in some of the finest alleys in East Vancouver. It will be interesting to see if there is a change in the use of these generally avoided/ignored city spaces, especially in dense urban areas.