The city of Barcelona is famous for its parks, museums, churches and, of course, brilliant architecture. So we were only thrilled to learn that the Spanish city is now planning to convert more than half of its streets into superblocks in an attempt to make the city a more pedestrian-friendly one. By Amitha Ameen
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Barcelona is planning to make more than 60% of its streets pedestrian-friendly and greener. According to the plan made by the city’s government, almost all of central Barcelona will be transformed into car-free zones by the next decade, as work is slated to begin in 2022. And, the project will be kickstarted in Eixample, which is already famous for its grid layout.
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Back in 2016, the city had introduced a new concept called Superblock through which vehicles were re-routed to the outskirts of the city, making way for more pedestrians, outdoor games, and playgrounds to function without any hindrance. Now, the same idea is being applied to 21 streets in the famous Eixample neighbourhood.
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The streets that fall under the superblock will allow access to a limited number of vehicles and only those that belong to residents, delivery, and essential services. All the streets will be dotted with trees, making the area a green corridor. The superblock will reduce the city’s pollution levels, increase mobility, and also provide additional public places for people to enjoy.
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The plan is likely to be introduced in a phased manner since the superblock implementation in Eixample will be a large project; plus, it is a central area in the town and is frequently visited by tourists. The new concept may also face protests from motorists who use these routes regularly.
Related: Tips And Tricks To Help You Travel Smart In Barcelona