Lara Clements. Master ICCP Student. UPM

In recent decades, urban sustainability has become a key element in city planning. This perspective addresses concerns about climate change and environmental degradation while responding to the need to create more livable, accessible, and equitable urban spaces. Mobility, as a central pillar of urban life, plays a fundamental role in this transformation. Cities are facing the challenge of balancing economic and demographic growth with reducing pollutant emissions, improving air quality, and creating environments that prioritize people over cars.

Globally, several cities have implemented projects that transform mobility and reorganize public space, becoming international benchmarks. Cities such as Copenhagen, Singapore, and Medellín have made significant strides in using public transport, promoting cycling, and reducing vehicular traffic. However, there are examples that stand out not only for their local impact, but also for their potential to serve as replicable models. Among them, the superblocks of Barcelona and the Bosco Verticale in Milan are exemplary cases of how cities can prioritize sustainability and quality of life through innovative and transformative interventions.

The superblocks of Barcelona have marked a paradigm shift in the city’s urban organization. Since their implementation in 2016 by the City Council, these areas have transformed the streets into people-centered spaces, limiting motorized traffic and promoting active and sustainable mobility. Each superblock consists of nine conventional blocks, freeing the inner streets of vehicles and dedicating them to pedestrians, cyclists, and community activities. This model not only improves air quality and reduces noise but also fosters social interaction and creates a healthier and safer urban environment. The Superblock Program 2016-2019, included in the Spanish Urban Agenda’s Good Urban Practices Catalog, aims to redistribute urban space in favor of pedestrians. Furthermore, it incorporates an integrated network of bike lanes and a rapid bus system, strengthening sustainable public transport. Citizen participation has been key in its implementation, allowing neighbors to get involved in the design and adjustments needed to ensure the model’s success. The first example, the Poblenou superblock, involved reorganizing at least four adjacent blocks into a space of over 16,000 m² virtually free of vehicles. The project was carried out in two phases: first, through tactical urbanism solutions with temporary elements to delimit play, rest, and social gathering zones; and later, with the permanent consolidation of infrastructures, including sidewalk extensions, tree planting, installation of sustainable furniture, and bike lanes. This intervention added 13,350 m² of public space for pedestrians, reduced traffic by 58%, and significantly lowered noise levels. The success of the superblocks has led to their expansion to other areas of Barcelona, such as Sant Antoni and the Eixample, where a network of green axes and pedestrian plazas is being created. This approach demonstrates that with relatively simple interventions, it is possible to improve urban quality of life and foster social cohesion, as well as inspire other cities like Vitoria-Gasteiz, which have adopted this model for their own urban transformations.

Image 1: Before and After Superblocks in Barcelona. Source: movilidadconectada.com

On the other hand, the Bosco Verticale in Milan offers a different yet equally innovative approach to integrating sustainability into urban environments. Designed by Stefano Boeri and inaugurated in 2014, this project consists of two residential towers, 111 and 76 meters high, whose facades house more than 20,000 plants and trees. This “vertical forest” acts as a natural filter, capturing pollutants and absorbing carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. In addition, the vegetation helps mitigate noise and regulates indoor temperatures, reducing reliance on traditional climate control systems and, therefore, energy consumption. The Bosco Verticale also promotes urban biodiversity by providing a habitat for birds, insects, and other species that would otherwise not thrive in the city. It is estimated that these towers house more than 1,600 birds and butterflies, making it a natural oasis in the heart of Milan. Beyond its environmental impact, the project has a significant social component by offering residents a green environment within their own homes. The terraces, designed as private gardens, not only enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants but also strengthen their connection to nature. Recognized as the “Best Building in the World” in 2015 by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the Bosco Verticale has inspired similar developments in cities such as Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Utrecht. This architectural model reflects a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable cities, demonstrating that architecture can be functional, aesthetic, and environmentally responsible.

Image 2: Structure of Bosco Verticale. Source: archdaily.com

Both the superblocks of Barcelona and the Bosco Verticale in Milan demonstrate that it is possible to transform cities into sustainable and livable environments. While Barcelona focuses on reorganizing public space to prioritize people, Milan opts to integrate nature into urban architecture. These projects not only improve local quality of life but also serve as global models for urban sustainability.

Lara Clements

Bibliography

GABarcelona. (n.d.). Las supermanzanas de Barcelona: una nueva forma de pensar la ciudad. GABarcelona. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.gabarcelona.com/es/blog/supermanzanas/
Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana. (2021, March 2). Programa supermanzanas de Barcelona. Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://esmovilidad.transportes.gob.es/noticias/programa-supermanzanas-de-barcelona
ArchDaily. (2015, December 4). Bosco Verticale / Stefano Boeri Architetti. ArchDaily. Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://www.archdaily.com/777498/bosco-verticale-stefano-boeri-architetti