Thesis Statment [abridged version]

With the foreseen population growth, cities will have to grow inward in order to save precious land and resources. This project proposes a transformation to a Milwaukee neighborhood by adding density via developing a commonly overlooked area—the alley. There is a lot of useful space wasted by how we currently use the alley, and by typical garages we use for storage. Most of these garages are neglected and have already outlived their predicted life expectancy, thus, this project proposes a new way to inhabit this space.

By injecting the alley with inhabitants, and creating community spaces within, the alley will become a safer, more enjoyable, social space. The development of the alley will add an additional layer of street life, creating a neighborhood within the neighborhood.

By introducing a multi-use program; including housing/rental units, office spaces, public and private gardens, etc. to the alley, the neighborhood will develop a pedestrian scale street life and become more walkable and interactive.
Adding additional inhabitants and multiple uses to the alley will breathe new life into the space and will blur the boundary between front and back, creating an enjoyable environment for the users.