Street Occupation on Rüdesheimer Strasse by the Public on Sunday
In the heart of Wiesbaden, a new approach to urban living is taking shape. The city is introducing a Superblock in the Rheingau quarter, following the motto "Mobility for All".
Originating from Barcelona, the Superblock concept aims to provide a new way of experiencing public space, prioritising pedestrians, cyclists, and local activities over vehicular traffic. The goal is to promote walkability, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance urban life quality.
The Rheingau quarter, part of the Digital Twin of Wiesbaden, was previously used as a shortcut by drivers due to its narrow residential streets. However, with the implementation of the Superblock, these streets will now offer a safer and more enjoyable environment for families to cycle undisturbed, children to play, and musicians to perform.
On August 10th, the Rüdesheimer Straße in Wiesbaden will be car-free from 10 am to 6 pm. Traders will set up stalls, and cafes will put tables outside, inviting visitors to experience public space in a new way. The Superblock will transform into an open-sky living room, inviting visitors to stroll, linger, or observe how streets can function without cars.
Trees provide shade, and benches invite sitting, making the Superblock an attractive place to relax and socialise. The Youth Parliament and the Environmental Department of Wiesbaden collaborated on the implementation of the Superblock concept in the Rheingau quarter, ensuring that the needs of all residents, particularly children and the elderly, are met.
Traffic in the Rheingau quarter will remain, but will be limited to residents, delivery services, and craftsmen. New loading zones will be introduced to prevent cars from idling at the corners. Several city blocks are combined into a traffic-calmed Superblock, with through streets disappearing, intersections turning into small squares, and cycling and pedestrian traffic gaining.
The Superblock in Wiesbaden is not a new concept; it is part of the Digital Twin of Wiesbaden. The idea has already spread from Barcelona to Paris, Portland, and now to Wiesbaden, demonstrating its potential for improving urban living conditions worldwide.
The Superblock in the Rheingau quarter seeks to ensure that children can safely go to school, elderly people can move around without obstacles, and neighbours have more space to meet. By reducing traffic and pollution, the Superblock is set to create a more livable, sustainable, and enjoyable urban environment for all Wiesbaden residents.
[1] Superblock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superblock_(urban_design) [2] 15-minute city - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15-minute_city [3] Superblocks: A New Approach to Urban Planning - The New York Times. (2019, May 20). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/opinion/superblocks-urban-planning.html [4] Superblock - Urban Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Superblock [5] Superblocks: The New Urban Design Idea Taking Over Cities - The Guardian. (2019, June 17). Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/17/superblocks-the-new-urban-design-idea-taking-over-cities
The Superblock in the Rheingau quarter aims to foster a unique lifestyle within the urban environment, prioritizing outdoor-living and home-and-garden experiences, as evidenced by the car-free zones, cafes, and stalls that will be set up for public space engagement. This approach, inspired by Barcelona's Superblock concept, asserts a commitment to enhancing the quality of urban life through walkability, reduced environmental impacts, and the promotion of local activities.
