2025 has brought many new developments for the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. But some things remain the same. Among them, a new edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes, which this past Tuesday, September 30, celebrated innovative projects in Brussels. Another constant: the presence of Spanish projects among the finalists and winners—such as Superilles Barcelona.
This initiative was recognized in the category “Reconnecting with nature” and was ultimately selected as one of 22 initiatives from across Europe. These projects fall into this and other categories, including “Regaining a sense of belonging,” “Prioritising the places and people that need it the most,” and “Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking.”
The award was presented in Brussels during the second edition of the “NEB in Regions and Cities” event, which brought together over 400 participants. A representative of the team celebrated the recognition, saying it was “a happy ending that proves cities can improve through well-intentioned public policy.”
But what exactly is the initiative about? Since 2021, it has planned and implemented a comprehensive transformation of the built environment in Barcelona’s iconic Eixample district. The project prioritized green areas and public squares as places for neighbors to gather, leading to a substantial reduction in pollution and a renewed sense of community life.
In this way, the project embraces what we could call “the city of the future”, with reduced vehicle traffic and streets enhanced with greenery. At its core, the project seeks to fight climate change while fostering social cohesion. The structural result of these transformations is the creation of “Superblocks” (Superilles)—a model that reorganizes urban mobility by removing through traffic and introduces a new type of street known as the “green axis.”
In total, 21 green axes and 21 squares were created, significantly improving residents’ well-being, comfort, and public health, while boosting accessibility—one of the core values of today’s New European Bauhaus. Streets are now single-level platforms, eliminating curbs and other barriers for people with mobility challenges, the elderly, and caregivers with strollers.
Additional measures include the introduction of new paving materials, increased shaded areas, and the development of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to help rainwater infiltrate into the soil. This prevents the overloading of the sewer system and supports groundwater recharge.
The project also stands out for its co-creation process, developed jointly by architecture and urban planning professionals, local associations, and residents. Together, they formed a steering group responsible for decision-making and management. Over 20 participatory activities were held, involving more than 1,500 participants. This allowed the actions planned for the Eixample to be refined and improved.
Se unen a esta medida, la implementación de nuevos pavimentos, el aumento de las zonas de sombra y el impulso de Sistemas de Drenaje Urbano Sostenible (SUDS) para infiltrar el agua de lluvia en el suelo, evitando así que se sobrecargue el sistema de alcantarillado y favoreciendo la recarga de aguas subterráneas.
Asimismo, la propuesta destaca por haber sido co-creada entre los profesionales de la arquitectura y el urbanismo, las asociaciones locales y los vecinos. El conjunto se constituyó en un grupo promotor, encargado de la toma de decisiones y la gestión. Se llevaron a cabo más de 20 acciones participativas, con más de 1.500 participantes, lo que permitió adaptar y mejorar las acciones previstas en el Eixample.
