A Review of Spatial Cable-Stayed Footbridge Design Practice: Examining Past Designs and the New Case of the Santullano Bridge

<p>A series of spatial cable-stayed footbridges designed by the Carlos Fernández Casado (CFC) firm are examined to explore how pylon positioning, deck curvature, and cable arrangement influence structural behaviour and spatial configuration. The selected projects are analysed in terms of their geometric layouts and force-balancing strategies. Among them, the Santullano Footbridge—one of the firm’s most recent designs— introduces an innovative approach by eliminating anchoring cables through optimized pylon placement. Parametric analysis is employed to achieve structural equilibrium despite geometric asymmetry. The findings highlight how genuine explorations of structural efficiency can enhance visual expressiveness, improve performance and reduce maintenance in modern pedestrian bridge practice.</p>