Material and metaphorical bridgework: Russia's Asian Pivot through Vladivostok

ABSTRACT A constituent feature of all bridges is their facilitation of movement. They are intentionally built not only to continue a road but to serve a special purpose – to join two sides previously separated. When, for example, a community with natural resources gains access to communities with production facilities the reciprocal movements potentially bring benefits to both sides. Bridges can be a key driver of economic activity and the Russian government considers Vladivostok's new infrastructure – material, administrative, financial, and even educational – critical for helping the region become more economically powerful by encouraging new investment from and facilitating business interactions with Asia. Consequently, this article explores the “Bridges of Vladivostok” as metaphor, symbols for potentially stronger relations, enablers of hoped-for partnerships, and as material constructions designed to link opposite sites.