Phelonius wrote on 11/13/10 at 15:37:06:I don't think our pres. goes into any narrow alleys.
Phelonius
In them old days, cities were defended by high walls and fortifications.
The only other way to defend yourself was to build houses close enough to each other that three men abreast could block the way.
This principle lasted centuries, not just a few years.
So, whenever in Florence, Siena, Venice, wherever, you will find that often even the most prized neighborhoods have one-way alleys, rather than 6-lane boulevards.
On the other hand, we didn't have herds of cattle to drive to the train station...
AND
You can't just push a building over a few feet to make space for cars to park..