Editing Footpath (section)

===Alley and steps===
[[File:Marten-Trotzigs-Graend.jpg|170px|left|thumb|A typical urban footpath: [[Mårten Trotzigs Gränd]], {{convert|90|cm|ft|abbr=on}} wide, the narrowest alley in [[Gamla stan]], [[Stockholm]], Sweden]]
An [[alley]] is a narrow, usually paved, pedestrian path, often between the walls of buildings in towns and cities. This type is usually short and straight, and on steep ground can consist partially or entirely of steps. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a [[Right of way (transit)|right of way]] or ancient footpath. Similar paths also exist in some older North American towns and cities. In some older urban development in North America lanes at the rear of houses, to allow for deliveries and garbage collection, are called alleys. Alleys may be paved, or unpaved, and a blind alley is a [[cul-de-sac]]. Some alleys are roofed because they are within buildings, such as the [[traboule]]s of [[Lyon]], or when they are a pedestrian passage through railway embankments in Britain. The latter follow the line of [[Rights of way in England and Wales|rights-of way]] that existed before the railway was built.

Because of [[topography]], steps ([[stairs]]) are the predominant form of alley in hilly cities and towns. This includes [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]] (see [[Steps of Pittsburgh]]), [[Cincinnati]] (see [[Steps of Cincinnati]]), [[Portland, Oregon]],<ref>[https://www.urbannestpdx.com/life-in-portland/2019/4/14/explore-the-hidden-stair-walks-of-portland "Explore the Hidden Stair Walks of Portland". Urban Nest Realty]</ref> [[Seattle]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattlestairwalks.com/ |title=Seattle Stairway Walks |publisher=Seattlestairwalks.com |access-date=2015-04-05}}</ref> and [[San Francisco]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sisterbetty.org/stairways/ |title=Stairways of San Francisco |publisher=Sisterbetty.org |access-date=2015-04-05}}</ref> in the United States, as well as [[Hong Kong]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abhk.org/ill-take-the-stairs%E2%80%A8/ |title=I'll take the stairs : Alliance For a Beautiful Hong Kong |publisher=Abhk.org |date=2013-01-11 |access-date=2015-04-05}}</ref> and [[Rome]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://italiannotes.com/5-steps-to-rome/ |title=Steps to Rome – Top 5 of interesting steps and staircases in Rome |publisher=Italiannotes.com |date=2011-06-29 |access-date=2015-04-05}}</ref>