New supermanzana in Valencia. The Orriols case

The supermanzana model takes up the principles of neighbourhood planning by identifying a main road network and setting up a system of superblocks within the meshes of this network. The aim is not only to transform public spaces at the neighborhood level but also to reorganize the existing urban structure, to improve accessibility, equity, health and livability. The road space is no longer meant only for vehicular traffic but for multiple uses, providing larger and safer public spaces and offering the opportunity to carry out outdoors those activities that in health emergency conditions cannot be carried out in enclosed spaces with poor air circulation.

UPPER Living lab and 2024 Green Capital Valencia have worked on local supermanzanas in the past few years. Today we want to focus on the city's second superblock; Supermanzana Orriols 

With the pedestrianization works of the streets Arquitecto Rodríguez, Agustín Lara, Historiador Chabret, and Padre Viñas, the neighbourhood of Orriols already has a pedestrian area of more than 48,000 m2.

8 residential blocks, a school, 2 gardens, the parish church and the historic core of the neighbourhood make up the new superblock, where road traffic is only allowed for access to garages, loading and unloading, and emergencies.

The pacification of this entire area has led to the creation of more than 8,700 m2 of new pedestrian spaces and has made it possible to generate a new network of green spaces and rest areas, as well as improve accessibility between the historic centre and the rest of the neighbourhood

Before there was a wall and a steep slope, today there are stairs and green spaces that allow continuity to the streets Agustín Lara and Padre Viñas, until now without a way out. This has put an end to what was a frontier space that divided the neighbourhood.

The works, carried out by Grupo Bertolín, have involved an investment of €1,950,000, financed with funds #NextGenerationEU from the Recovery and resilience plan for Spain of the Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible for the creation of pedestrian spaces and the promotion of sustainable mobility.

An action that is a good example of the renovation of public space, the improvement of mobility and road safety, and that dignifies the streets and quality of life of vulnerable neighbourhoods such as Orriols.

Learn more about the city's commitment to UPPER