The Superblocks of Barcelona

In this outtake from the S03 episode of The Life-Sized City's Barcelona episode, Mikael explores the Superblock (Superilla in Catalan) project in the Poble Nou neighbourhood. The one that started the entire movement. Barcelona recently announced that they are rolling out the superblocks across the city. The architect behind the design of the typical Barcelona typology of blocks known as Eixample, Ildefons Cerdà (1815-1876) envisioned public space in his designs. Finally, Barcelona is returning to that vision.
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[@YorkiePP]

Really dug this episode. I wish this kind of thing were the norm in big cities. The sense of community is something we desperately need in modern society and I think these provide an elegant way of cultivating it while also getting rid of the arrogance of cars.

[@matttullo37]

As an American watching this I am very jealous. Car dependency is very depressing here. Such a lack of community.

[@FrederikLassenFirst]

Great to see progress being made in freeing up city space from cars and redistributing it to people actually using the city. I wish there was even more progress being done on this in Copenhagen. Eg. digging down the road Åboulevarden in a tunnel, to give the surface back to nature and in turn the people. Perhaps even further out at Borups Allé. Thank you for your videos Mikael!

[@cloak057]

This type of planning can probably reduce depression

[@christill]

Fantastic to see. The difference is obvious. In mainland Europe the vocal minority complain, and it goes ahead anyway because it’s the right thing to do. In the UK, they complain and it immediately stops.

[@jamescoulson7729]

Really wish Victoria bc would do this. Our old city centre is already clogged with pedestrians on the sidewalks to the point that most pedestrians end up walking on the streets as it’s the only area with room. And with cars also taking up the road so it can be quite dangerous. So I hope they create a super block or two around at least the old city to create a safer, more friendly, and less congested atmosphere.

[@Ozblu3y]

Victoria, australia? Or another victoria?

[@Ozblu3y]

@James Coulson

[@jamescoulson7729]

@@Ozblu3y Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

[@Ozblu3y]

@@jamescoulson7729 unfortunate.

[@YoshiLeoMex]

I live in Mexico, the country which have a huge polution and traffic jam problem. Can anyone think how to make a solution with me in Mexico?

[@jiffyb333]

Very cool!

[@Bezbroj]

Poštovanje domaćinu!

[@ElectricityTaster]

I think you should have that growth checked out.

[@abdillahiabdisamad6161]

I always wonder why African Countries who have no Car companies or oil try to build roads for cars and even their citizens complain road codition while they have other options.

[@Ozblu3y]

i wonder too...

[@idromano]

Same in South America

[@idromano]

In fact, I guess I know. Here, we don't know any different. We've been pretty hopeless in the past decade in Brazil so it's not like people think too much about sidewalks and streets... It's a shame

[@SilverWave64]

Why do they put the trees into these ugly black plastic pots? It ruins the looks of the street. Why not put them into the ground directly or at least have some wooden pots?

[@LifeSizedCity]

Temporary urbanism is the gateway to permanent

[@pizzaipinya2442]

​@@LifeSizedCityI like superblocks, but not how Barcelona is doing them. By trying to make them all at the same time, really few have been really made. The majority have been +3 years with that "temporary" urbanism, which degrades pretty bad and needs a lot of cleaning (which is not done). Also, if we take space from cars but public transport doesn't get better (ejem, renfe) we'll just create traffic jams in nearby streets...

[@markb1935]

But I love cars 🤷‍♂️

[@lenadrasecsetneumsecrag7051]

Legit, not everybody likes to walk and be out in the wild 🤮🤮🤮

[@markb1935]

@@lenadrasecsetneumsecrag7051 100%

[@mustafaa1458]

Ah yes i love pollution too and an unhealthy unsustainable method of development. Fuck those pesky kids playing in the street!!! God bless the automobile and oil companies

[@indetermite]

@@markb1935 LL LL LL LL LLLLLLL

[@dankspain]

Too bad Barcelona has gone to shit.

[@joonasmiiluniemi3513]

What do you mean?

[@mustafaa1458]

Not really. Its the economic center of Spain. Go cry to your oil and automobiles lords about it.

[@thatoneuser8600]

Source: trust me bro