Urban Ecology Agency of Barcelona
The Pitch
Urban Ecology Agency of Barcelona piloted the “Superblock,” a new sustainable mobility and public space configuration designed to optimize and diversify public spaces, public transit and stakeholder participation.
The Problem
Urban environments put significant pressure on Earth’s ecosystems and resources. As cities grow, this pressure will continue to intensify if development is not guided sustainably.
The Process
- Followed the principles and strategies of “ecosystemic urbanism” to develop the Superblock concept (Superblocks achieve the minimum urban unit scale for ecosystemic urbanism: 16 by 20 hectares)
- Incorporated the Superblock concept into the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Barcelona
- Reorganized streets and speed limits to form a basis for mobility and public space improvements
- Began piloting the program in Poblenou in 2016:
- Phase I: Organized a workshop with 200 students, 15 professors and other local stakeholders to plan a month-long calendar of events for their public spaces
- Phase II: Enabled residents and local associations to take the lead in the planning process
The Impact
- Diversified public spaces
- Demonstrated how a Superblock can add a myriad of benefits to the community
- Involved diverse people with varied interests to garner community participation and make Superblocks adaptive to community needs
- Effectively revealed how the program should move forward, uncovering obstacles, strengths and opportunities for improvement
- Inspired implementation in other countries
