Mending the Gap: Taking Advantage of Missed Opportunities Through Bridge Design
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Abstract
Can a bridge be more than just a passageway to get from one side of a natural feature to another? Can different typologies be integrated into bridge design to create more of a destination than just a passage? Bridges have been around throughout the history of mankind, whether it was a log crossing a mud hole or the Golden Gate Bridge spanning over a mile. What these two widespread examples have in common is that they are both solely used to travel over an obstacle. A bridge can be much more than just a way to cross a difficult path. With bridges being greatly utilized in larger cities, additional uses and activities can be successfully integrated into bridge design to create a more interactive and impactful space for the surrounding community. This, in turn, will give bridges more of a purpose by creating a destination and landmark rather than just a passage. We must learn to design not for just the present but the future as well. By designing a bridge which integrates its surrounding landscape, one can bridge an obstacle, as well as bridge and connect a community. By understanding the surrounding community, its people, as well as their habits and interests, one can design a bridge that doesn’t just act as a passageway but as an addition to the city.