Expanding urban green space with superblocks

The Barcelona superblock is an urban neighbourhood transformation strategy, with which car-based traffic redirected away from streets that are inside a 3 × block configuration. This design concept promises opportunities for alternative street use such as the of space into green space. potential to foster due however unclear, particularly outside original Barcelonan context. Concerning densification, fostering relevant achieving dense and cities. In this study, superblocks identified in all major Swiss cities current quantified. analysis reveals distinct differences between different allows pinpointing expanding Considering nine largest cities, 3% 18% network was simulated be potentially suitable implementation transform streetscape increase variation coverage across individual sites have high density ranges considerably few percentages above 30%. presented results allow exploration at block-level arising Switzerland. For example, when considering citywide scenario, area relatively Basel whilst same time showing low availability creating detailed or strategies based on explored sites, more integrated evaluate benefits well disservices required.