International architects win bridge projects
http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/article814033.ece
British and French architects have won the competition to build bridges in Copenhagen
Several firms of international architects have won the competition to build light bridges in Copenhagen that are designed to link the Opera House to other parts of the capital. The longest will run from Nyhavn to Christianshavn, while others will cross the canals.
Flint and Neill of Britain and Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes of France have now been appointed by Copenhagen Council, with Flint and Neill as overall consultants for the longest bridge, while the three other bridges will be built with assistance from the French firm. The projects are being financed by the A.P. Møller Foundation.
Criticism
Plans to build bridges in the area have met heavy criticism from those living in Christianshavn, who are afraid that the bridges will have a detrimental affect on the characteristic maritime environment of the quarter and that the bridges will mean that sailing boats will no longer have access to the area.
The Council has rejected the criticism, saying the bridges will be able to be opened.
Council
“We know that Copenhageners like bridges and I am sure that A.P.Møller’s gift will be well-received by the thousands of cyclists and pedestrians who will be crossing the bridges,” says Copenhagen Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard (SocDem).
Environment and Technical Mayor Klaus Bondam (SocLib) is equally enthusiastic.
“We want to create more activity in and around the harbour and this is definitely a step in the right direction,” Bondam says of the bridge projects.
Judges
The judges in the bridge competition say they chose the projects as they fit well into the local surroundings on both sides of the harbour and because they have a special opening mechanism to allow vessels to pass through.
The three smaller bridges are praised for their ease of operation and maintenance and their unobtrusive nature.