Turin like Barcelona, ​​pedestrian ‘superblocks’ idea

The ‘superilles’ could arrive in Turin, i.e. the pedestrian superblocks with which Barcelona is taking away space from cars and giving it back to children, the elderly and cyclists. At the moment it is only a suggestive idea that the Municipality of Turin and District 3 have spoken about, which has asked to be able to try this solution on its territory. Municipal councilor Chiara Foglietta likes the project, but before starting an experiment she absolutely wants to start a discussion with the citizens of the area.

What are ‘superilles’?

Salvador Rueda, an urban planner, psychologist and author, theorized this new way of experiencing the city. The ‘superilles’ are city superblocks made up of nine blocks, within each block priority is given to pedestrians and cyclists, while on the perimeter of the block cars can circulate freely. The Spanish project provides that cars outside the block can travel at 50 kilometers per hour, while inside the block vehicles can circulate in a limited way and at a reduced speed. The neighborhoods within the blocks thus become safe and suitable for children and the elderly. In fact, the Spanish project includes numerous green areas.

The idea of ​​Turin

“Constituency 3 asked us to try to do the same intervention that Barcelona did”, explains councilor Foglietta, “Which means taking a portion of the neighborhood and trying to do it at 30 kilometers per hour”. In Turin the average speed is currently already 28 kilometers per hour: “It’s not so much the positioning of the sign that makes a City 30, but it’s making people understand why you have to go slower in a neighborhood: it’s a matter of safety, liveability of the neighborhood and of noise because a car that goes faster creates more noise. I repeat that in the main streets it is unthinkable that you can go at 30 kilometers per hour, but already now the shared roads have a maximum limit of 30 kilometers per hour”.

A first step towards this project could be taken in September during the ‘European Mobility Week’ when the Municipality traditionally asks the Districts which portions of territory they want to pedestrianize. “We can’t say yet that we are about to do an experiment because I want the intervention to be shared as much as possible with the residents of the neighborhood, because they have to understand the reason for it”, explained Foglietta, “I want to avoid it being an imposition by the administration. There is an idea and there has been a discussion between the Municipality and the District. I feel like supporting this idea, but I prefer to take a path of sharing with the territory that will certainly be longer and with a more heated debate”.