Superblocks

What is a superblock?

Superblocks are neighbourhoods in which existing urban spaces are rethought and networked with each other. The focus is on upgrading the public space through a new organisation of traffic. This makes the street space more usable for everyone.

Typical features of a superblock are

• close involvement of residents and local stakeholders
• high-quality, climate-friendly public space with greenery and unsealing
• more safety and space for pedestrians and cyclists
• Upgrading of the ground floor zone
• Space for encounters, dialogue and social interaction
• gradual implementation with temporary measures

This creates more green and open spaces, attractive recreational areas and lively urban spaces.

Superblocks are already being successfully implemented in many cities - for example as pilot projects or city-wide strategies. They are particularly popular where the population is closely involved, for example in Barcelona. Or in Berlin, where superblocks were initiated by local residents.

This concept is now also to be trialled for the first time in Innsbruck as part of a pilot project. The "Future Contract Innsbruck 2024-2030" provides for the implementation of a "traffic management pilot project based on superblocks".

Dreiheiligen as a pilot neighbourhood

Due to the spatial situation, the current traffic situation and possible connection points, the Dreiheiligen neighbourhood has particularly high potential for the superblock concept.

The many educational facilities in the area benefit from traffic calming measures and an upgrading of the public space. Existing cultural and social facilities in the neighbourhood can be complemented and thus strengthened by high-quality and appropriate urban spaces.

Areas with increased heat stress can be improved with green and blue infrastructure. In combination with the good public transport connections, Dreiheiligen offers very good conditions for an initial pilot implementation of the Superblock concept with the involvement of residents and local stakeholders.

What are the next steps?

The implementation of a superblock takes place in several phases:

1. Potential analysis of the urban area to identify possible superblock areas ✓
2. Selection of a pilot area ✓ –both steps have already been completed in Innsbruck
3. Development of a concept incorporating transport and open space planning
4. Pilot phase with temporary measures
5. Detailed design for permanent measures
6. Construction of individual measures

In Dreiheiligen, the project is being implemented as part of a three-year initiative – funded by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure andthe Climate and Energy Fund. The aim here is to make the benefits of a superblock visible and tangible.

The City of Innsbruck is being supported in this by the innovation lab future.lab, the Institute for Transport Sciences and the landscape architecture and urban planning firm bauchplan ).(.

Project launch

The project will begin in May 2026 with initial analyses of the existing structures and preparations for the public engagement process. To ensure that superblocks come to life, it is crucial to involve residents from the very start and actively engage them.

The first opportunity to do so will be during European Mobility Week on 18 and 19 September 2026 , when an initial on-site participation event will be held.

You can find all the information and ways to get involved here:

Where can I find further information?

Please feel free to send any questions, ideas or concerns directly by email to the Service Unit Strategy and integration - Superblocks :

The call for proposals ‘Technologies and Innovations for the Climate-Neutral City’ forms part of the ‘Climate-Neutral City’ priority area of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Climate and Energy Fund (KLIEN). The scheme is being administered on behalf of the BMIMI and KLIEN by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) in collaboration with Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (AWS).