As I stroll through the streets of Barcelona, I'm eager to share how the city has embraced nature through its design. This partnership is brought to life through plans called superillas (superblocks) and investment in green infrastructure. "Green infrastructure" means adding natural elements to a city on purpose, making sure we have lots of trees to breathe in fresh air and parks for people to enjoy. Green infrastructure is like bringing a piece of nature right into our neighborhoods!
Superblocks are an innovative approach to organizing the city. Imagine taking a few streets and transforming them into one enormous space without cars. This not only creates a safe area for people to walk and play but also works wonders for our planet. By preventing cars from cruising through and by planting native plants and trees, these areas help reduce air pollution. By taking action to reduce air pollution, the city is improving the air quality for everyone. As well, without noisy cars on the streets, neighborhoods near superblocks become more serene and enjoyable places to call home. In a superblock, it is common to see kids riding their bikes, the elderly sitting on benches and people sharing tapas (appetizers, small bites) at a café.
