ACTIVATING
BACK LANES

Back lanes, unlike the busy streets of traffic, are the other side of Kreta Ayer. In the long block design of the classic British colonial city, the land planners separated the block on two sides, with buildings back-to-back and closely juxtaposed on both sides of the street, thus pulling out a long, thin back alley in the middle. Just a few steps away is the tourist area with its crowds of people and the thriving road with its traffic, and the back alleys weave a special transition zone that gently separates the poor from the rich, the bright from the dark, and provides an inch of living space and a breathing space for those who live here.

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When it comes to back alleys, many stories take place in this particular urban space. There are tourists who walk in unannounced, restaurant staff who are busy, potted plants of all sizes from the residents, and discarded cardboard boxes and other items. From our planning perspective, the back alleys can be exciting everywhere, not only interweaving life, but also a place that thrives on art and even reflects the character of the conservation area.