LOS ANGELES RIVER HABITABLE BRIDGE | LOS ANGELES | CA

It is a new structure built around the 1st Street Los Angeles Bridge. It is completely detached from the existing historical viaduct. It is designed as a gateway that welcomes people to the city, its local ecosystems, and its diverse art and culture. Multiple vertical circulation towers located at both sides of the bridge welcome visitors and residents to experience multiple levels above the river. Residential, office and retail spaces are located at the top levels. A sidewalk, protected bicycle lanes, light-rail, and automobile lanes are located at the 1st Street Bridge level. It connects to the Los Angeles River, and its proposed parks at the ground floor level. Los Angeles River parks are ambitioned to offer a variety of activities including community/educational gardens, recreational areas, art, and sports. The project connects communities, public art, parks, and natural habitats together at one main location. It also anticipates the reduction of private motor vehicles in downtown Los Angeles and the increase of urban density. Public transportation, ridesharing, autonomous vehicles, and private mobility services are expected to reshape the urban landscape in the near future. Therefore, it proposes the allocation of new functions to the city’s existing roads, parking lots, and infrastructure. The project calls for a two-way protected bicycle lane running along all of its main roads, and the use of more public transportation. It also recommends redesigning underutilized existing parking lots as vegetated areas/parks/gardens. It proposes the removal of unnecessary pavement/concrete surfaces including specific areas along the Los Angeles River banks. The Los Angeles River Habitable Bridge is designed as a gateway and a local destination in the form of a suspended horizontal megastructure that connects local communities, existing infrastructure, new parks, and natural habitats within the Los Angeles metropolitan area closer together.