From superislands to Green Axes. The conceptual iteration of Barcelona’s Superblocks

Barcelona’s Superblock concept is widely promoted as an iconic blueprint for reclaiming public space from car dominance and promoting liveable cities. Yet between 2015 and 2023, the concept underwent a fundamental evolution, both morphologically and ideologically, from the ambitious ‘Archetypal Superblock’, through ‘Green Axes and Squares’, to the diluted umbrella of ‘One Superblock Barcelona’. While most studies examine only one phase or assume full rollout, this first longitudinal, multi-scalar morphological analysis shows how conceptual iteration reshaped the Superblocks’ spatial logic, ambition, and transformative potential. The findings urge cities to critically reflect on how – and why – they adapt urban planning concepts.