Why do we love laneways?

Melbourne is famous for them.  Festivals are named after them. Small but mighty, civic laneways are now a go-to place for creative urban life.

Usually only about 5-8m wide, civic laneways are typically a fully paved street in the older parts of town with shared or restricted access to vehicles. Enlivened by public art or colourful lighting, there is a convivial mix of people sitting in cafes or bars or strolling past the shops on an enjoyable shortcut.  Some work best during the day, some at night.

Most civic laneways are revitalised versions of rear lanes laid out in 19th century subdivisions to service commercial buildings.  Back of house operations in the lanes kept the daily realities of business away from customers at the front. Many service lanes are still doing this job.  But where circumstances have changed, Councils have jumped at the opportunity to transform these unique spaces into places people enjoy.

So in modernist cities so keen on shiny new development, open spaces, fast roads and big views, why do people enjoy spending time in these narrow spaces?

The Urban Design Association of NSW (UDA) is currently running the annual poll to find NSW’s Favourite Urban Place. The fifteen shortlisted laneways offer many clues to their attractions.

UDA President Diana Griffiths said people seem drawn to the human scale and slow tempo of these narrow streets.  “Urban designers call these places ‘fine grained’ because everything – the rhythm of shop fronts, the street dimensions - are scaled to people not vehicles. These places have universal appeal, particularly in older cities”.

“A good example in NSW is Llankelly Place, Potts Point where there is a pleasant spatial containment and street proportions, lots of small frontages shops providing interest and people can easily see both sides of the street while strolling along.”  Diana said.

Layering the new with heritage buildings also seems to be a winning strategy.  Three shortlisted laneways from inner Sydney have this popular combination of old and new. 

Many people will be familiar with the knot of laneways near the City Recital Hall known as Angel Place, where the rusticated stone buildings and formalised outdoor dining create a sense of grandeur and seclusion in the heart of the city.

“Both Loftus Lane near Circular Quay and Kensington Street in Chippendale are recent urban design projects showing how new development and a compelling vision can transform neglected, forgotten spaces into beautiful new places.” Diana said.

“But just upgrading the paving is not enough. Laneways need to have purpose and active edges. That is where those cafés, bars and service businesses do a fantastic job of bringing life to laneways.”

Suburban centres and regional towns also have laneways with their own twist.  Created in 1881, Amp Lane in Albury is framed by gracious heritage buildings, has colourful lighting and lined with cafes and shops. In Cabramatta, Belvedere Arcade is a shady mid-block connection bursting with the flavour and chatter of family run eateries. 

This year’s UDA poll organiser Simina Simaki suggested another reason for the popularity of laneways. “Often the rents in laneways are lower than the main street or shopping centre, so they attract independent shops.  Jim Simpson Lane in Blacktown is a shortcut and a cultural promenade of local businesses”.

In most of the shortlisted laneways, Councils have brightened the space with potted trees, benches and public art. Globe Lane in Wollongong is a popular night-time venue with bold murals covering entire buildings.

“Public artwork tailored to a unique place or of that Country really lifts an urban environment. Regional cities do this well, like Devonshire Street in Newcastle or Goulburn’s Russell Lane” Simina said. 

While most civic laneways revitalise an old street, some are purpose built with new development.  Little Hay Street in Haymarket has been extended as a civic laneway lined with shops in new apartment buildings leading to the Darling Square precinct.

Simina explained that one of the urban design challenges in laneways is creating frontages onto a space that was built as the backs of buildings. Two of the shortlisted laneways show this redevelopment in action.  In Double Bay, Kiaora Lane was transformed in 2014 from a back lane into an attractive public space with new shop frontages, while retaining its service functions out of hours.  And in Lane Cove, the Canopy Precinct development has been the catalyst for buildings to reorientate towards Birdwood Lane and encourage pedestrian activity.

Gritty and charming, old and new, functional and fascinating, civic laneways are hidden gems offering people a different character, convivial ambience and a bit of surprise in our cities and towns.

The UDA ‘NSW’s Favourite Urban Place’ poll runs from 3rd October to 1st November.   

Vote and share to help celebrate the well-designed places people love.

29 September 2025