New Melbourne laneways coming

Melbourne's popular laneway maze is expanding, with hopes new alleys will maintain and enhance the city's cafe character.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said 18 new laneways were in the pipeline after the Victorian government mandated their inclusion in development permits, and he hoped they would become popular tourist attractions like the city's established alleys.

"The new laneways as well as existing laneways are going to be unique tourist attractions to Melbourne - new bars, restaurants, cafes but also just the experience of coming down them," he told reporters on Friday.

He said new alleys could be named after Victorian war veterans.