The first ‘superblock’ in Barcelona

The plan for “superblocks” in Barcelona, ​​with which the aim is to transform the mobility of the Catalan capital and return up to 70% of the street space to pedestrians, will be launched next Monday, September 5 with its first pilot experience, as reported by La Vanguardia. The first superblock, which will be inaugurated in the Poblenou neighbourhood, will reduce motorized traffic in an area of ​​nine blocks, with which the city will gain four new public squares.

In the perimeter marked for this experimental phase, the new configuration will force vehicles to turn at each interior intersection, without being able to drive in a straight line, and also they will not be able to exceed a speed of 10km/h. These measures are intended to discourage the presence of motorized traffic and prioritize the passage of pedestrians and cyclists.

The superblock project, promoted by the Urban Ecology Agency of Barcelona City Council, has an initial investment of 10 million euros. The project wants to turn Barcelona into a system of 400×400 meter superblocks, in whose interior streets pedestrians have priority. The motorized traffic of private vehicles would be relegated in the hierarchy to the perimeter streets, limiting the passage inside of service vehicles, residents, emergencies, and loading and unloading. Surface parking will also be reduced to a minimum. Among the objectives of the project are to improve the quality of life of residents, improve social cohesion and economic activity, and reduce the environmental impact of motorized traffic.

The idea of ​​superblocks is not new. One of the experiences that inspired the Barcelona project is the design of superblocks in the Plan for Mobility and Public Space of Vitoria-Gasteiz.