Why are people so angry over having to put in sidewalks?

[DetroitPlanner]

Anyone ever come across a residential alley that had sidewalk running along one side of it? If so, why would it be there?

I have an alley that has sidewalk along one side, about the length of 4 lots. I'm talking about a typical dirt alley in an older neighborhood, not one of those new urbany type alleys.

It may not really be a sidewalk. It may be left over from the days when trash was piled up in the alleys. If the homes are old enough (late 1940s or earlier) those neighborhoods generated additional trash through burning coal for heat. We have been born in a time when recycling and ecology were seen as good (post crying indian). I am willing to bet that earlier generations generated a lot more garbage than what our parents did. I can recall sorting out recyclables and taking them to U of M Dearborn as a kid.

[btrage]

It may not really be a sidewalk. It may be left over from the days when trash was piled up in the alleys. If the homes are old enough (late 1940s or earlier) those neighborhoods generated additional trash through burning coal for heat. We have been born in a time when recycling and ecology were seen as good (post crying indian). I am willing to bet that earlier generations generated a lot more garbage than what our parents did. I can recall sorting out recyclables and taking them to U of M Dearborn as a kid.

Thanks. That was a thought that had occurred to me. It is indeed in an area of pre-WWII homes, so I'm willing to bet you are correct.