Role of pedestrian footbridges in enhancing the quality of public spaces and housing environments

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the designs of selected pedestrian footbridges, which serve as important connections that integrate housing environments and are attractive elements of public spaces. The presence of a footbridge enhances pedestrian accessibility to areas and uses by linking different urban regions. Unlike other types of bridge structures, pedestrian footbridges offer the opportunity for direct interaction with the structure and materials, which necessitates higher finishing and aesthetic standards compared to regular bridges. The analysis covered sixteen European projects, varying in scale, form, structure, and the role they play in cities. The main objective of this research was to identify the features that contribute to their significance in enhancing the quality of public spaces and housing environments. The research was based on the assumption that the role of contemporary pedestrian footbridges extends beyond transport and circulation to include the creation of attractive spaces. Based on the study, the characteristics that pedestrian footbridges should possess to serve as attractive elements in the integration of housing environments were identified.