In the context of the Polis programme, Nuno Teotónio Pereira defined a plan for the city of Covilhã, proposing to reduce the differences in elevation of the hilly city, whose urbanisation had long since expanded beyond the valleys. In this context, he invited Carrilho da Graça to design three pedestrian bridges to smooth out the experience of the city. Of the three bridges planned, one was actually built: the Pedestrian Bridge over the Ribeira da Carpinteira. Set at the foot of the southern edge of the Serra da Estrela, it provides a link between the city centre and the outlying district of Penedos Altos, located on the opposite side. Perpendicular to the waterline and over the abrupt granite slopes of the stream, shaped like the Greek le"er #, the new bridge crosses the valley and celebrates the relationship between the Serra da Estrela and the vast, fertile landscape of Cova da Beira. From that straight arch the connections to the mooring points are established, according to the most favourable geometry and generating the sinuosity of the design.

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Architecture,Carrilho da Graça,Construction,Pedestrian Bridge - Ribeira da Carpinteira,Covilhã,Polis programme,Nuno Teotónio Pereira,Serra da Estrela,Penedos Altos,Cova da Beira

• Other Humanities - Humanities