How Laneway coLabs works

Laneway coLabs is a community-led laneway revitalization program run by The Laneway Project. Each coLabs project brings neighbours together over a defined period of time to shape improvements that reflect local needs, priorities, and creativity.

The coLabs approach

Every coLabs project follows the same overall approach, while remaining flexible to each neighbourhood.

Community-led
Residents play an active role in shaping what happens in their laneway, from early ideas through to celebration.

Co-design focused
We facilitate conversations and workshops that help translate community priorities into tangible design elements such as murals, greenery, lighting, or small activations.

Time-bound and achievable
coLabs projects run over a set timeframe, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This helps keep projects realistic and momentum high.

Built for stewardship
Projects are designed with long-term care in mind, supporting neighbours in continuing to use and care for their laneway after installation.

The coLabs journey

Each Laneway coLabs project follows a shared arc, shaped by the people who live around the laneway.

1. Share your thoughts

We start by connecting with neighbours through door knocking, surveys, and a kickoff event.

Community members are invited to share:

  • How they use the laneway

  • What’s not working

  • What they’d like to see

2. Explore ideas

We host simple, hands-on workshops to generate and test ideas together.

Together, with the community, we:

  • Explore options (murals, gardens, lighting, play, etc.)

  • Talk through what’s realistic

  • Identify shared priorities

3. Create a plan

The Laneway Project will turn community input into a clear, feasible design.

This includes:

  • A proposed layout and interventions

  • Budget and materials, which we cover

  • Required permissions, which we manage

4. Build the laneway

This is where the transformation happens.

Depending on the project:

  • Murals are painted

  • Gardens are installed

  • Lighting and small elements are added

The Laneway Project leads this work, and there are opportunities for the community to get involved hands-on.

5. Celebrate + carry it forward

We end with a community celebration in the laneway.

This is a moment to:

  • Mark the transformation

  • Spend time in the space together

  • Support ongoing care and use

What participants say

Across projects, participants consistently describe a stronger sense of connection, belonging, and shared responsibility.

“I know so many more neighbours now. This project surpassed my expectations.”

“Thank you for making the laneway an extension of our home.”

“The biggest change is the sense of togetherness and how much the community loves their neighbourhood and is willing to work together.”