Creating a Courtyard for Contemplation Out of an Alleyway

I was walking through downtown San Francisco this morning on one of the busiest streets in the city center and I noticed this little alleyway to my left.

What caught my eye is how with very little of architectural interest to work with, a few well tended plants have turned the space into a tiny little peaceful oasis in a busy city. It could have been piled high with garbage bags or the like (others I saw were) but someone has made the effort to make this little corner worth looking at. And everyone who passes, not just those who live and work down here can now have the pleasure of looking at the results of their work.

All it would need to perfect it would be little icon of Christ on the back wall, or perhaps a statue of the BVM, and a place of peace might even become a place of contemplation!

The cobblestones help too of course!