LOOK: The Kamuning Footbridge Gets a Makeover

We’ve all witnessed how the Kamuning Footbridge had become viral on social media the past few weeks. The footbridge became controversial when Netizens pointed out that the soaring pedestrian footbridge along EDSA—which is raised in the middle to avoid the MRT-3 railway lines—is inaccessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Recently, architect Paulo Alcazaren reimagined the supposedly problematic footbridge into an urban oasis. In his Facebook post dated November 16, 2018, he writes: “Unsolicited proposal for Mt. Kamuning pedestrian bridge—turning it into a green oasis for pedestrians…ramps are switchbacked in gentler runs parallel to EDSA rather than straight up, requiring mountaineer training.”

“Sure, this scheme would cost three to four times more but at P30-40M that would be the cost of only two pylons for the elevated skyways being built all over the place. All that greenery, if replicated every few hundred meters, would also help mitigate noise and pollution…as well as provide shade.”

Alcazaren, who is also a landscape architect, shows in his illustration above how vertical plantings and a softer incline for the stair ways make for a more relaxing visual and physical experience when using the footbridge.

With recent news claiming that the P10 million footbridge will be redesigned, perhaps the MMDA would consider these ideas? “Don’t pedestrians deserve as much infrastructure as cars,” Alcazaren adds. “And ultimately it is a small price to pay for neglecting pedestrians’ needs in the first place?”

PHOTOS Illustration used with permission from Paulo Alcazaren; EDSA photo by Judgefloro via Wikimedia Commons