Superblocks between theory and practice

Insights from an international e-Delphi process and urban living labs in Vienna and Berlin

Bibliographic Data

ID19537248
AuthorsJernej Tiran (0000-0001-9839-720X, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, corresponding author), Joshua Grigsby (University of Vienna), Valentin Gebhardt (Municipality of Vienna), Nicolina Kirby (0009-0004-8612-8845, Institute for Sustainability), Ulrich Leth (0000-0002-1700-6279, Research Unit of Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering), Florian Lorenz (0000-0002-0585-8466, LAUT- Landscape Architecture and Urban Transformation, Vienna), Johannes Müller (0000-0002-3538-197X)
Year2025
Volume18
Issue4
Pages622-644
Publication date2025-08-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueUrban Research & Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1753-5069 • E-ISSN: 1753-5077
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17535069.2025.2456939
OpenAlexW4407184554
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

The concept of Superblocks has been recognized as a promising urban transformational intervention. With the concept evolving, spreading, and being adapted to different contexts, it is necessary to take stock of the situation. The article aims to clarify the Superblocks concept through an e-Delphi process and test the theoretical framework against ongoing implementations in Vienna and Berlin. Experts’ opinions show that the concept has retained transformational capacity. In practice, however, we can observe conceptual ambiguity and slow implementation, subjugated to political constraints. The article discusses how these discrepancies might affect the ability of Superblocks to contribute to systemic transitions

Delphi · Delphi method · Engineering ethics · Political science · Regional science · Sociology · Computer Science · Delphi Technique in Research · Engineering · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Smart Cities and Technologies · Artificial Intelligence

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access