Study Of The Issues Relating To The Construction Of Elevated Pedestrian Corridors Connecting Urban Buildings In Guangzhou

The Guangzhou City Planning Bureau started to think about the planning of elevated pedestrian corridors connecting buildings to be provided at a number of business centers with high pedestrian flows in the urban area since 2002. The elevated pedestrian corridor system built at the core area of the Pearl River New Town and Xingsheng Road was included in the first batch of this plan. The summary of the project management experience of this project will provide a good reference to other such projects to be implemented in the future. This Paper takes the elevated pedestrian corridor system built at the core area of the Pearl River New Town and Xingsheng Road as an example and analyses deeply the problems emerged and the countermeasures taken during the project implementation with the focuses on the key project planning elements, key project implementation issues, project quality, safety and cost, organization of the implementation and progress control and the operation after the completion of the project.The Study shows that the planning of this project has met the requirement of dense development of the urban road network, ensured smooth pedestrian flow and facilitated effectively a closer transport relation between main urban developments and the urban primary roads, and a closer connection between commercial areas.This project was a trial of such system and the adoption of construction agent system was the key measure that guaranteed the successful completion of the project implementation before the event of the Asian Games. But also because the project implementation was commenced hastily without a good pre-project preparation and due to some construction difficulties the implementation had a delay of more than 93 days. And the actual construction cost was 6.305 million yuan higher than the planned cost. After the completion of the implementation, the project has been operated and maintained in the way as for the normal municipal facilities.A summary was made based on the study and analysis of the experience of this project: Firstly, the planning authority shall urge the relevant project owners to make determination of the connection method of an elevated pedestrian corridor, such as whether piles or bracket structure shall be adopted, even at the earlier stage as project application. It is recommended that commercial advertising be allowed to apply on elevated pedestrian corridors so as to enhance the commercial value of these projects and to encourage the project owners for their contribution. Secondly, survey and investigation of the underground pipelines and structures shall be made thoroughly prior to the project implementation and the power and water supply for the elevated pedestrian corridors shall be made as for normal municipal facilities. Thirdly, the design of such corridors shall use variety of styles to integrate with different appearance of the buildings. The geological survey shall be made, construction drawings shall be ready and decision on the interface of the corridor and the buildings it connects with shall be made before the commencement of the project implementation. Fourthly, strict contract period shall be stipulated and bill of quantity for bidding shall be strictly reviewed to avoid any missing items, separate contract shall be awarded for steel structure as Party A supply or sub-supplier of the steel structure shall be strictly tested to ensure the progress and quality.According to the municipal government's guidance, elevated pedestrian corridors will be promoted and implemented at building-intensive and high pedestrian flow commercial areas. This Study will provide experience and guidance to other elevated pedestrian corridor projects to be implemented in the future.