Every so often, a new idea for Melbourne's 200-plus tiny thoroughfares comes along that's worth paying attention to.

Melburnians have, on the whole, heard more than enough about their city's "iconic" laneways.

An artists impression of the greening plan for Meyers Place. Credit:Melbourne City Council

Thousands of marketing campaigns focusing on the city's success with its small bar and cafe culture mean that, for many, the idea of celebrating Melbourne's lanes jumped the shark long ago.

But maybe this – a draft strategy to turn four well-known laneways into green havens – has some legs. And with lanes covering almost nine hectares of Melbourne's CBD it's an idea that could have an impact.