These often overlooked urban sites pose interesting poetic interventions in the smoothness of the urban fabric. Sometimes they are planned and calculated, but at other times they appear unexpectedly. They serve different purposes historically. In ancient Rome they were used for defensive reasons, later, at the onset of the industrialisation period, they provided residents shelter from vehicles and increasingly busy public spaces. In the 1920s 'dead-end' streets were used to slow down traffic in British suburban areas, allowing children to play and families to bond. Now, they have become ambiguous zones, hidden spaces of unexpected urban freedom.
Add your favourite one in the comments.
