China's chaotic streetsCrossing the street in any of China's cities is a harrowing experience. In the U.S. one of the primary tenets of driving is that the 'pedestrian always has the right of way' regardless of if they are jaywalking or not. In China, expecting automobiles to yield to you as a pedestrian (even when you have a green crossing signal) would be a huge mistake. Not only are cars, buses, and electric bikes reluctant to put on their breaks, they will blare their horns while coming at you to warn you to get the hell out of the way.
Chinese pedestrians think nothing of this reality as it is what they are accustomed to, yet being a foreigner from America I always become slightly frustrated at what I perceive to be the rude behavior of the drivers. Some attribute the non-existent driving courtesy to the fact that mass personal car ownership is a relatively new phenomenon in China. As such, the theory goes, it will take time for drivers to develop the sense of respect for pedestrians, not to mention other drivers on the road.
While China's driving culture sees no sign of evolving anytime soon, local governments have taken action to make walking the streets less hazardous for people by constructing footbridges over heavily trafficked roads and highways in cities all over the country. Beijing, renown for its wide boulevards, is a prime example of where these pedestrian bridges can be seen throughout the city. In many places, these bridges are an extension of the street in the sky where vendors sell everything from pirated DVDs and socks to small electronics and other trinkets. Some bridges even serve as landmarks that act as popular meet up spots for friends.
Chinese pedestrians think nothing of this reality as it is what they are accustomed to, yet being a foreigner from America I always become slightly frustrated at what I perceive to be the rude behavior of the drivers. Some attribute the non-existent driving courtesy to the fact that mass personal car ownership is a relatively new phenomenon in China. As such, the theory goes, it will take time for drivers to develop the sense of respect for pedestrians, not to mention other drivers on the road.
While China's driving culture sees no sign of evolving anytime soon, local governments have taken action to make walking the streets less hazardous for people by constructing footbridges over heavily trafficked roads and highways in cities all over the country. Beijing, renown for its wide boulevards, is a prime example of where these pedestrian bridges can be seen throughout the city. In many places, these bridges are an extension of the street in the sky where vendors sell everything from pirated DVDs and socks to small electronics and other trinkets. Some bridges even serve as landmarks that act as popular meet up spots for friends.
In Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, where I currently reside, the pedestrian overpass is a very recent development. Local English-language blog Chengdu Living has taken notice of this and posted a write-up discussing some of the pluses and minuses of these brand new structures.
One notable fact about Chengdu's new footbridges is the speed at which they have gone up around the city. Just at the beginning of February, I recall traversing the local streets and seeing the bridge kit-of-parts in neat piles on the side of the road along prominent arteries like the 1st Ring Road and Kehua Beilu - a heavily foot-trafficked road adjacent to Sichuan University. Just a little over three weeks later, just as everyone was returning from the Chinese New Year Holiday, several of the new bridges were already assembled and ready for use.
The new pedestrian overpasses of China are unlikely to get the same media recognition that the flashy new skyscrapers and huge infrastructure projects receive. Yet, from the standpoint of an urbanist, it is important to acknowledge the role that these simple structures play in defining the ever-changing character of the Chinese city.
One notable fact about Chengdu's new footbridges is the speed at which they have gone up around the city. Just at the beginning of February, I recall traversing the local streets and seeing the bridge kit-of-parts in neat piles on the side of the road along prominent arteries like the 1st Ring Road and Kehua Beilu - a heavily foot-trafficked road adjacent to Sichuan University. Just a little over three weeks later, just as everyone was returning from the Chinese New Year Holiday, several of the new bridges were already assembled and ready for use.
The new pedestrian overpasses of China are unlikely to get the same media recognition that the flashy new skyscrapers and huge infrastructure projects receive. Yet, from the standpoint of an urbanist, it is important to acknowledge the role that these simple structures play in defining the ever-changing character of the Chinese city.
A good example of an overpass would be in Xi Dan, Beijing. Serving a purpose that is more than simply just allowing pedestrians to pass traffic-stricken streets, but also as a circulation system that give nearby buildings more accessibility and connection with each other. Hong Kong also has some very interesting overpasses that integrates the architecture with the bridges.
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