Small Steps, Big Change: Designing Superblocks And Resilience In Barcelona And Melbourne
Presented by RMIT University
DETAILS
Free, booking required
Green Brain Conference Rooms
Building 16 (Storey Hall) - RMIT University, Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia
Superblocks or superilles in Catalan are an urban design approach pioneered in Barcelona to transform city places, spaces and mobility. They are internationally recognised for design that prioritises people over cars, deepening community participation, engagement and cohesion.
In this event, Salvador Rueda Palenzuela – international urban ecologist, placemaking expert and one of the pioneers of the Barcelona Superblocks – will join RMIT Professor Marco Amati in conversation. The discussion will explore what an urban superblock design could mean for Melbourne and how the city can become more climate resilient through small steps leading to big change.
A spokesperson for the environment across many decades, Salvador has developed a coherent ecological theory of urbanism which continues to resonate. He has directed more than 400 urban and territorial projects in 144 cities around the world, addressing the interaction of different elements within cities that affect the potential for environmental remediation. Currently Director and President of the Urban Ecology and Territorial Foundation, Salvador has dedicated his career to addressing the escalating climate crisis, using his expertise to build understanding and to actively transform city places, spaces and mobility. His work has helped improve health and safety as a direct outcome of prioritising people and community and rethinking the way transport and human activity operates within a city.
*hearing loop available upon request
Participants
Savlador Rueda Palenzuela
Salvador is an international urban ecologist, placemaking expert and one of the pioneers of the Barcelona Superblocks. He is currently Director and President of the Urban Ecology and Territorial Foundation.
Professor Marco Amati
Marco is an environmental scientist by training with a passion for research about cities. He has conducted numerous studies about greening in the city from surveys of trees at the metropolitan scale to the impact of indoor plants on people’s mental well being. At the moment he is interested in the future of the urban outdoors, which combines his interest in the cooling benefits of shading and trees with a focus on social sciences.