The Albi Footbridge

<p>Albi (France), a city with a rich and tumultuous history, earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic centre in July 2010. Within this context, the creation of a cyclo-pedestrian footbridge cantilevered from a 19th-century railway viaduct was conceived. The viaduct, still in service today, is a fully masonry structure of remarkable coherence. The footbridge, made entirely of steel, is attached to it and subtly interacts with the existing structure in its design. More than just an addition, the whole project results in a new composition that possesses its own architectural and landscape qualities. In terms of use, the footbridge provides a direct link between the city centre and the peripheral neighborhoods, as well as a series of balconies beneath the arches of the existing viaduct, inviting people to pause and explore the built and landscape heritage of Albi.</p><p>Ney & Partners, along with its collaborators, won a design competition in 2013. After a challenging journey, the project is now set to be delivered to the people of Albi.</p>