What Is a Skyway? Elevated Walkways Connecting Cities

A skyway is an enclosed, elevated pedestrian bridge linking buildings—usually in dense urban cores. Think Minneapolis, Calgary, Hong Kong, or Dallas.

Core Purposes

1. Connectivity – Direct building-to-building routes avoiding street crossings.
2. Weather protection – Rain, snow, heat, cold: irrelevant inside.
3. Accessibility – Ramps/elevators bypass stairs and curbs for wheelchair users.
4. Safety – Separates pedestrians from vehicles.
5. Urban vitality – Activates second-level retail, shortens commutes, supports density.

Trade-offs

Skyways can drain street life, create "two-tier" cities, and favor connected buildings. Best systems integrate with transit and keep ground-level streets vibrant.

Done well, they're pedestrian infrastructure as climate adaptation—keeping cities walkable year-round.