Helsinki has built Finland’s longest bridge, the 1.19-kilometre Kruunuvuori Bridge. But its distinctive feature is not its length: the bridge is entirely dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists and trams. Car and motorcycle traffic is prohibited here, making the route as environmentally friendly and quiet as possible.
Kruunuvuori connects the city’s eastern island districts with the centre. For residents, this means faster access to urban infrastructure without losing contact with the natural environment — an important element of Finnish urban philosophy.
Engineers paid special attention to the details of everyday use. The pylon is illuminated by LEDs that change colour depending on the time of day and the season. Railings protect against the wind, and a special coating on the cables prevents ice from building up — it simply falls away without creating a hazard. The bridge is expected to last 200 years.
More and more cities around the world are reconsidering their priorities: instead of expanding roads for cars, they are creating spaces designed for people.
