Guangzhou's Haixin Bridge was recently awarded the gold medal in the 2023 World Pedestrian Bridge Award, making it the sole recipient of this prestigious recognition. 

The award, jointly organized by the International Road Federation (IRF) and the China Highway and Transportation Society, is held every two years to commend pedestrian bridges of exceptional design and construction.

The Haixin Bridge, the first pedestrian bridge in Guangzhou to span across the Pearl River, is situated in the heart of Zhujiang New Town. It has a total length of 488 meters, a span of 198 meters, and a height of 56 meters. In its category, this arch-shaped pedestrian bridge boasts the world's largest span and widest bridge deck. 

Prior to this achievement, the Haixin Bridge also received the prestigious "Outstanding Pedestrian Bridge" award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) in 2022, as well as the "Asia Lighting Design Awards - Light of Asia" in the same year. 

In the evaluation process for the World Pedestrian Bridge Award, the Haixin Bridge stood out among numerous entries from both domestic and international projects, thanks to its unique design, harmonious combination of strength and beauty, and outstanding technological innovations and patent applications. 

The bridge's design fully embodies the region's cultural characteristics, and the architects ingeniously incorporated urban public space concepts that showcase distinctive features such as the varying bridge deck levels and the inclusion of flower beds, viewing platforms, and separate pedestrian spaces.

The award ceremony for the 2023 World Pedestrian Bridge Award will be held during the World Transport Convention (WTC) in June 2023, where a total of seven projects will be honored with gold, silver, and bronze awards.

A view of the Haixin Bridge. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]