Welcome to Welcome Alley
Ashley Sampson
URSP688J Principles of Urban Design
July 29, 2014
Welcome Alley
is a small residential street in the Otterbein neighborhood of Baltimore City, MD. The neighborhood has an eclectic mix of housing styles , offers ample public space where neighbors and visitors interact, and favors the pedestrian over the automobile.
Street Section
Welcome Alley is a very narrow street—the road is only twelve feet wide—with homes and apartments set very close to the curb. Much of the western half of the alley is enclosed by buildings whose height is accentuated by the narrowness of the street. As you move east along the alley, the street opens up to a park, giving the sense that you have entered another room off of the main hallway. Further still, the road widens to accomodate two small parking lots and connecting green space. The stair steps, container gardens, and planting strips along the alley intrude into the sidewalk and public right of way, and in some places overtake it completely. Because of this and restricted vehicle access, the cobblestone road is a defacto shared use space.
Site Plan
The figure ground diagram of the area surrounding Welcome Al shows that this block has a higher density of structures than the surrounding area, although nearby blocks have structures with a diversity of sizes and shapes. Beyond the five residential blocks in the diagram, wide roads and the open space surrounding the Federal Reserve building on the left dominate the landscape.
Looking at the aerial site section, we see that much of the unbui space seen in the figure ground diagram is filled with green spac minimal amount of unbuilt space in the alley is dedicated to par and the alleyway itself occupies a very small proportion of the si
lley e a similar evident large
ilt ce. A rking, ite.
Block encompassing Welcome Alley
Texture Welcome Alley contains a wide variety of building materials and textures, ranging from handmade brick and cobblestone characteristic of the early 19th century to contemporary wood paneling and factorymade brick of the late 20th century. A modern iron sculpture mimics the natural shapes that surround it, providing an intriguing contrast. Overall, the eclectic blend of materials creates a unique tactile experience that contributes to the alley’s charm.
Accomodating Vehicles Vehicles in this alley are highly regulated. Street parking is forbidden along the narrow roadway; however, some pullin parking is provided in two small lots with strict residential permitting requirements. Further, vehicular traffic cannot enter the alley from the west. By limiting the number of cars in the alleyway, pedestrians are comfortable circulating through the space and walking in the road—as is often necessary. Although the lack of abundant parking is often considered a “downside� to living in Otterbein, the absence of cars greatly contributes to the character and walkability of the neighborhood.
Architecture The architectural style of the street is a mix of primarily Federal style brick rowhouses and modern interpretations of that style. The modern structures were added during a period of urban renewal in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Looking down the alley to the east, a modern highrise condominium—the tallest residential structure in Maryland—is clearly visible in the skyline. Departures from the dominant Federal and modern styles include a squat Greek Revival structure, and an historic rowhouse retrofitted with a contemporary façade.
Green Space The alleyway and broader Otterbein neighborhood contain a dense network of parks and a variety of open space types connected by pedestrian paths. Open spaces along Welcome Alley include grassy parks with benches ideal for dogwalking; the shady, hardscaped Homesteader Park that inspires reflection; and “Conservation Landscapes� that contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay.