Redesigning urban neighborhoods on a human scale

During the pandemic, people have rediscovered their own neighborhoods and cities as the center of their lives, rather than distant destinations. It has become clear just how valuable street space is, especially in inner-city neighborhoods, and how much space private car traffic takes up.

To meet the diverse needs and functions of street space over the long term, the concept of superblocks was developed in Barcelona several years ago. It helps keep through traffic out of residential neighborhoods and reclaim street space for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, it creates spaces for people to linger and for neighborhood interactions, as well as green spaces that help improve air quality and the microclimate in residential areas.

Together with research and industry partners from Berlin, Austria, and Slovenia, Difu is investigating the potential of the superblock concept for German and European cities and developing implementation and engagement strategies for a model implementation. The implementation is taking place in two real-world laboratories in Berlin and Vienna and forms the core of the project. In Berlin, the Difu, together with Changing Cities e. V. and the IASS Potsdam, is supporting the implementation of two superblocks adapted to Berlin’s specific conditions. Based on an analysis of superblocks and similar planning approaches in European cities (such as “Woonerf” in the Netherlands or “low-traffic neighborhoods” in London), as well as on the experiences gained from the two real-world laboratories, the project will then develop recommendations for action aimed at both civil society and municipal stakeholders.