Considering alternatives

The Greater Amman Municipality prides itself with having erected pedestrian bridges in many parts of Amman, where traffic is heavy, to help people cross streets safely.

According to the municipality, there are 96 such bridges, and it plans to build seven more by the end of the year.

The intention is good and the bridges, when used, do indeed make crossing busy avenues safe. Not that all citizens opt to use them. Very often they prefer to risk their lives and duck speeding vehicles just to avoid taking some extra steps.

Yet, officials might wish to take a fresh look at the method.

There is no denial that such bridges are both an eyesore and difficult to use by certain groups of people, like the elderly or physically disabled.

They are also very expensive to construct.

Alternatives include underground passages, that could double as shopping points, or, like many major metropolises, traffic lights, which are less expensive and more functional.

It is difficult to imagine New York City, Paris or London, for example, resorting to pedestrian bridges to make street crossing safe. 

Why, then, have them in Amman, where each has a different design and most are used to hold billboards promising all manner of goods and services, distracting drivers and smothering the bridges, which should be uncluttered and secure.

As is, Amman has developed in an inharmonious way, lacking zoning codes and a matching architecture that could give it character.

It does not need more jarring features, but a plan that leaves it unencumbered and beautifies it.

Again, the muncipality’s intention is good, but the result may not be desired.