Research Paper on Superblocks in Vienna published (2024)

We are thrilled to have co-authored a peer-reviewed paper on the application of the superblock concept in Vienna. Leading author Anna-Katharina Brenner assembled a team of co-authors from BOKU-SEC, AIT – Austrian Institute of Technology and studio LAUT to investigate “How experiments with superblocks in Vienna shape climate and health outcomes and interact with the urban planning regime”. 

The paper builds on the modelling results developed in the SUPERBE project as well as Anna’s investigation of the current application of Superblocks in Vienna. The highlights and main findings in the paper are: 

• Investigation of superblocks experiments in Vienna with a mixed methods approach.
• The potential climate and health benefits are higher in deprived areas than in more affluent areas.
• Superblocks are reframed according to the conventional urban planning regime in the course of implementation.
• The first superblock experiment implementation aligns with a redistributive mode of governance. 

Read the full paper to gain more knowledge on the history and future pathways of the Superblock project in Vienna.

→ Direct download 
→ Online article on publisher’s website

One really interesting approach brought forward in the paper is the different “dimensions” of an urban planning regime that do interact with a project (experiment) to innovate or transform urban space. See the table below: We can tell from experience that each and every dimension can be a real ally or challenge!