Alleys of Seattle

One of the most interesting aspects of cities is their texture -culturally and physically. I have begun to notice tiny places throughout the alleys and the city in general where the natural world has crept up, on, and into our paths and begun another series of layers over our existence. The edge of urbanity blurs at these points of reclamation.
One of my recent favorite instances if this can be found halfway down a pioneer square alley where flowering weeds have found their way into a wall and onto a window sill.  This should serve as a model for our continual development of cities.  We should allow, assist, and design for new ways that we can coexist with ecological forces so often pushed behind increased returns on investments, efficiencies, etc.  Photo credit goes to Karann MacNealy on the Jane’s walk a couple weekends  ago.

You can check out this simple welding project that is assisting in this reclamation process off University between 1st and 2nd.  It contains some sedums often used for green roofs and continues to flourish.  I encourage everyone to plant something in between bricks, under a downspout, on a window sill, or anywhere that will benefit an alley near you.  What is now considered a lifeless byproduct of urban efficiency can now be a place for environmental benefit and growth.