The construction of high-rise buildings and the rapid growth of metropolitan areas with high densities have both led to an increase in sky bridges during the past two decades. Only lately has the term “sky bridge” been used to describe bridge-like constructions built between high-rise buildings. This phrase is also frequently used to describe bridges built in mountain gorges and elevated pedestrian bridges in cities (sometimes known as skywalks, skyways, or pedways). It is required to define “sky bridge” because the term is vague and has several diverse meanings. Therefore, a sky bridge is simply “a substructure of a building that connects to another building at an elevation to allow pedestrians to pass”.
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Sky bridge: What is it
A sky bridge is a structure that is at least six floors above the ground and is completely supported and physically connected to two or more different buildings. Since it is mostly enclosed, the skybridge’s travel path is shielded from the surroundings. Today’s sky bridges are getting closer to the urban scale of the ideas proposed more than a century ago. All of a city’s operations will be elevated into the air by the upcoming generation of sky bridges.
Sky bridge: Benefits
Here are some advantages of using sky bridges:
Spatial benefits– filling in the blank spaces
Due to land prices, connecting nearby buildings with a sky bridge is cost-effective and enables the construction of high-rise offices and homes, as well as the conversion of unused spaces into livable spaces.
Technical benefits– integrating systems
Skybridges that connect nearby buildings transform them into an integrating structural system.
Mobility benefits– creating shortcuts
The transit between adjacent tall buildings may be simpler and quicker using skybridge, which is another benefit.
Design benefits– using new tools for a new architecture
By integrating the sky bridge and elevating system, which are used to move people both vertically and horizontally, architects can alter the entire architecture of buildings, neighbourhoods, and even entire cities.
Community benefits– building relationships
Skybridges must be kept open and permeable to a continuous flow of people because their primary purpose is to connect buildings. Along with streets, parks, street corners, and squares, sky bridges offer a fresh setting for social interaction.
FAQs
What types of sky bridges are there?
Six categories can be made when the floor, roof, and wall are combined, but in practice, only the open type, enclosed type, and enclosed with a rooftop type are constructed.
How high should a sky bridge be?
Although a sky bridge can be built from any height above ground, it is usually advisable to begin between 20 and 30 feet in the air to prevent colliding with the steep terrain.
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