First Advisor

Jeff Schnabel

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architecture and University Honors

Department

Architecture

Language

English

Subjects

Bridges -- Oregon (State), Willamette River (Or.), High Line (New York N.Y. : Park), Pedestrian areas, Highway engineering

DOI

10.15760/honors.1716

Abstract

The Fremont Bridge is an iconic piece of highway transportation infrastructure in the city of Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately, it is one of only three Willamette bridges in the city that does not allow any pedestrian access, except for a single day every year during an annual bicycling event. Consider, however: what if that were to change, in a future less dependent on private automobile usage? Drawing on historical precedents of pedestrian and car-free bridges, this thesis proposes three types of pedestrian-focused programs which a car-free Fremont Bridge could host, each of which speaks to a current aspect of civic life that Portlanders value. The medieval Old London Bridge shows a bridge used for housing, Florence's Ponte Vecchio shows a bridge contributing to the economic and commercial viability of a city, and New York City's High Line shows how obsolete transportation infrastructure can be turned into a park. Through drawings and diagrams, each of these three programs are explored on the Fremont, with the goal of inspiring Portlanders to imagine the opportunities possible for the Fremont besides simple automobile traffic.

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43823

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