IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences

Abstract

Pedestrian bridges are constructed in various
structures and by using various materials in order to ensure safe passage of
pedestrians in various situations such as vehicle traffic, animal traffic and
natural formations in or out of the city centres. There are bridge or passage
designs allowing passage for autos and pedestrians, bicycles and trains as well
as bridges used by pedestrians only. We can observe the construction of
pedestrian bridges in various civilizations and eras throughout the history. In
19th century, together with the industrial revolution and the invention of
steam train, pedestrian bridges were constructed over the railways and after
invention of automobile in 20th century and due to the changes and developments
in sea, lake and river vehicles, requirement for bridges around highways, sea
transportation routes and railways aroused. These bridges sometimes converted
into spaces while being monumental accessories of the cities ensuring the
formation of cultural and historical identity in settlements.

In this study, the aim is to handle the
bridges, which are urban accessory elements, by a scientific research so as to
let it constitute a written source for the other future studies to be made
about this issue. Under the scope of the study, the historical course related
with the design of pedestrian bridges and samples was examined and then
classifications were made according to their area of usage, type of usage,
material and structure. Finally the spatial loop of pedestrian bridges and
today’s design measures were examined.