The habitable bridge, "out of favor since the Renaissance," is having a moment, as cities across America seek to "shift the task of mending the urban fabric toward the private sector," reports Henry Grabar.
According to Grabar, "At one time, nearly every city in Europe could boast at least one
chaotic span that balanced people, shops and houses over a river." However, by the early 2000s only the iconic Ponte Vecchio in Florence and three other habitable bridges were left on the continent.
The infrastructure challenges that led to the historic decline of the habitable bridge may be a thing of the past, as the later half of the last decade saw the construction of new habitable bridges in Columbus, Ohio (America's first), Zaragoza, Spain, and Beijing.
Now, writes Grabar, "Plans are underway for habitable bridges over highways in Washington,
D.C., and New Haven, Connecticut, and architects and planners have
proposed similar ideas in Montreal, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Acapulco, and London."
FULL STORY: The Habitable Bridge, Resurrected
Low-Income Columbus Households Struggle to Find Housing
The Ohio city has a more severe affordable housing crisis than more traditionally expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.
Columbus, Ohio's High-Frequency Transit Future Up for Vote in November
Despite being the nation’s 14th largest city, Columbus, Ohio has no high-capacity transit. That could change this November as city officials put a levy before voters that would provide $6.2 billion by 2050 to fund an ambitious bus rapid transit system.
It’s Unanimous: Columbus Approves Density-Friendly Zoning Changes
Columbus has approved six zoning code amendments, which include height limit increases from three stories to 16 and eliminate parking requirements for large developments in 12,300 parcels along major transportation corridors.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.
Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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