Superblocks to appear in Barcelona
Over the next four years the city administration of Barcelona will be actively developing five first superblocks, the so-called modern city areas. The project budget amounts to 10 million euros.
A superblock is an area of city space created following a new model presupposing traffic and communal area reorganization. Its main purpose is to make city life more convenient and safe. Designers pay much attention to the eco-friendliness and sustainability of the districts. One of the aims of the project is bicycle popularization, reduction of gas emissions and noise pollution control. Moreover, trees and shrubs will be planted in the districts, street lighting will be improved and solar energy production will be started.
A new city architecture mesh will have a size of 400x400 metres. The project improves accessibility and quality of public transport for pedestrians. Traffic and parking will be minimized inside the superblocks meanwhile the pedestrian area space will be expanded by 40-50%. Transport will circulate only within the perimeter of the block; the streets will be left to the pedestrians. Cars belonging to the residents, emergency service cars and delivery cars will have special conditions. The driving speed inside such blocks will be limited to 10 km/h.
The introduction of superblocks will lead to improvement of living standards and higher comfort for tourists and residents. At the same time, the damage caused by vehicles will significantly decrease. Socially, the unity of residents and neighbours is expected.
Such projects have already been introduced in several Spanish cities, such as Victoria-Gasteis (“European Green Capital Award 2012” and “Best Practice Award” in a UN Project “Un-Habitat”), La Coruña, Ferrol, Viladecans. Projects for Gracia district of Barcelona are also known since they won “Iniciativa BMW 2011” award and were mentioned in UN´s “Un-Habitat” as a “Good Practice” in 2010. The construction works of one of the first superblocks will start in April in La Maternidad and San Ramon (Les Corts) districts of Barcelona. More superblocks will appear in Sant Marti (Poblenou), Eixample, Hostafrancs and close to the Glories square.
