SUPERBLOCKS IN BARCELONA
How Residents Are Trying To Take Their City Back
Barcelona is overrun by cars and motorbikes. In 2014 there were 414 cars for every 1000
inhabitants in Barcelona. The big city has an idea to completely stop cars from coming
into some streets and turn them into pedestrian areas. The city used to be very lively but
now more vehicles are driving around, which makes it very hard to find a place to walk
or skate and just hang out with friends.
Cars have been taking over the city of barcelona for the past years. The city is
overflowing with carbon monoxide. 60% of the streets are taken over by cars. A few
months ago an idea was developed to make something called “superblocks” where 9
blocks are closed off (in different area codes) and roads are closed for driving, except for
one emergency lane. The superblocks are made to be for playing football with other
people, hang around, walk around, and market shopping.
The only cars that will be able to pass through
the streets are private vehicles, which are
allowed to drive at 10km/h. The superblock are
supposed to prevent premature deaths (all the
pollution from cars) and car accidents.
Overall, the superblocks will benefit barcelona
and help with all sorts of problems.