Barcelona’s Superblocks: Three Fast Facts

The bustling city is transforming several neighborhoods, de-emphasizing cars while promoting walking and neighborhood livability.

Carrer del Comte Borrell in the city’s central Eixample district has been transformed from a standard four lane asphalt steet into a pedestrian zone. More greenery and benches to promote pedestrians and support the adjoining commercial businesses. (Image: By author).

As the website for the city of Barcelona states, the goal of the city’s block transformation project is to create a “healthy, greener, fairer and safer public space that promotes social relations and the local economy.” The new green street blocks are called superilles in Catalan. The basic concept is for the city to block off nine square city blocks to major vehicle routes. Inside the zone, traffic speed is slowed for local traffic and priority is given to open space available for pedestrians and bicycles. Additionally, hundreds of trees and seats/benches are to be added. This model will be replicated across the city.

The city’s population is 1.6 million, with a regional population of 5.6 million. The city’s popularity (and tourism) exploded after the city served as host for the 1992 Olymic Summer Games. With the popularity, came congestion and declining air quality, often below EU standards for urban environments. Importantly, the superblock plan is not limited to just affluent portions of the city.

In this planning map, among other changes, Consell de Cent and Provenca streets (east-west) will be transformed to pedestrian zones. (Image: Barcelona city website).

Here are three fast facts on the city’s urban planning phenomenon:

1. Barcelona is one of the most densely populated cities in all of Europe. There are about 15,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, double the density of Phoenix, Arizona, America’s fifth most populous city. Additionally, Barcelona has a high density of motor vehicles: 6,000 vehicles per square kilometer. This level of density creates significant air quality and atmospheric pollution issues for the region.
2. Barcelona is well suited for the concept of green space/pedestrian superblocks. Much of the city is built on a uniform grid system, ideal for redirecting and focusing vehicle traffic on adjoining streets. The city also has an extensive metro and bus system. The superblock concept seeks to harness the strengths of urban density in order to help alleviate some of its challenges.
3. Vehicles are not strictly prohibited in the superilles areas but the areas give priority to pedestrians and open space over vehicle movement. Traffic calming measures are present, too. Speed limit in these new zones: 10 km/hr. The new superblocks will include several new plazas.

Barcelona’s density is evident from the air. One neighborhood in Barcelona has been identified as the most densely populated square kilometer in Europe. (Photo: K.Upmanis on Unsplash).

As cities worldwide see their populations continually grow, the need to develop sustainable housing and mobility solutions will also grow. Balancing economic growth with livibility and sustainability will require innovative solutions like superblocks that encourage walking and neighborhood vitality.