THE LIVING BRIDGES OF MEGHALAYA

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Living root bridges are natural constructions that each bioengineer or architect is jealous of, because they are a real paradigm of living architecture. They are made of the incredible strong roots of the tree Ficus Elastica, which is the Rubber tree of India. In contrast with modern structures, as the tree becomes older it also becomes stronger.

Living bridges are found in the tropical rainforest biome of southeast India, in Meghalaya. The fast flowing streams that separated the villages of Khasi people was the reason in order to develop these bridges.

The high amount of precipitation in this region is essential for the rapid growth of the Ficus Elastica tree. This tree can be found almost everywhere in the world, outside from the tropical to the Mediterranean and inside in colder climates as a houseplant. The difference in between these regions is the amount of precipitation that each one receives. Regions with high amount of rain, like in Meghalaya, allow a rapid growth or the Rubber tree. As a result, the Indian rubber tree is able to create aerial roots that can cover an average span from 10 till 30m.

After my resent trip in other regions of India, specifically in Mumbai, I noticed that despite the fact that there are numerous rubber trees the natives are not using them to their benefits. Rubber trees in Mumbai function only as shadow producers or for hanging the cloths. Taking as consideration the paradigm of Khasi people, the appropriate woven construction of the aerial roots could create strong sustainable structures that benefit not only Mumbaikers, but also the environment. These structures could not only function as bridges, but also as living or public space and totally change the architectural design of the city.

Their great advantage is that the system could take any shape.  The roots in the beginning of their life are very thin and can be easily manipulate to create strong woven systems. Moreover, they could increase the biodiversity of the region as they could provide shelter for animals and plants. Also, they could control in some extend the pollution as living bridges are actually living trees. Finally, they could control the erosion of the land that is happening due to the high amount of rainfall and the multiple floods.

Architects can learn a lot from these indigenous systems that have succeed to live in harmony with nature. The paradigm of living bridges could be beneficial not only for Mumbai, but for other cities too. Their unique structure resists the strong water currents, this characteristic is essential especially during flood periods.

It makes me wonder, how the image of Mumbai would have been if the main structure of the city were mostly made from the aerial roots of rubber trees? Are hybrid constructions between nature and modern technology the key for a sustainable future?