Inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, the program aims to limit car traffic in small areas to improve safety and create new park spaces.
A new “Park Block” program in Los Angeles could create sections of car-light streets that eliminate cut-through traffic and reclaim space for other public uses. The program is inspired by similar concepts such as Barcelona’s ‘superblocks,’ explains Steven Sharp in Urbanize LA.
The program was proposed by 14th District City Councilmember Kevin de León and approved by the city council this week.
A city staff report notes that “[Park Blocks] can create instant public open space with substantial shade, outdoor recreation, greening and storm water capture in communities desperate for parks.”
The L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) is now tasked with identifying a site for the city’s first Park Block in de León’s 14th council district and developing an application process for future blocks, “with priority given to neighborhoods with high incidents of vehicle collisions and low access to open space.”
FULL STORY: L.A. City Council green lights "Park Block" pilot program
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research