Design in the Spanish-speaking world has a rich and interconnected history. Each country's urban life is impacted and influenced greatly by the structure of their cities and buildings. If you're interested in all things architecture and urban planning, this one is for you! From ancient histories to master plans and changing urban landscapes, read on to find out more about some of the most impactful spaces within Spain and Latin America.

1. Superblocks (Superilla) - Barcelona, Spain

Superblock Design

The Superblocks (Superilles) are the brainchild of Salvador Rueda, director of the Urban Ecology Agency of Barcelona and renowned urbanist. The Superblock itself was created as an antidote to noise, safety, livability and climate change issues, in which cars took priority over people and place. Superblocks consist of 9, 400 x 400m units that come together to form one large block. These blocks have restricted car movement, only permitting residents to pass through at very low and capped speeds of 10 km/h, and parking strictly below ground. This means that all through traffic must go around the perimeters of the block.

The Superblocks allow for space to be taken away from automotive vehicles and given back to the people. This has created the epitome of functional mixed-use space in which communities can gather, walk, engage in local business and enjoy a safe and calm place of residence. Not only does this promote growth for local businesses, clean the air and reduce sound pollution, but it also gives way to forms of active transport such as cycling and walking - both of which encourage active and healthy lifestyles. 

There are set to be a total of 503 Superblocks all over Barcelona by 2030, and the idea is spreading rapidly worldwide. In a talk given by Rueda at RMIT University in November 2022, the possibility of implementing these blocks in Melbourne's CBD was raised, with a proposal of over 12 superblocks generated within the CBD and 20 green junctions gained as a byproduct. 

To read more about Salvador Rueda's Superblocks, their impact on Barcelona and worldwide, click here. 

2. Cerro San Cristóbal - Santiago, Chile

Cerro San Cristóbal (literally translated to San Cristóbal Hill) is located in the heart of Santiago, Chile. It is a gargantuan park, with a massive 722 hectares of green space. The park is a hotspot for cyclists, hikers, nature lovers, tourists and families. It boasts both a funicular (a carriage escalator) to get to the top of the park, and teleferiocs (cable cars) to get between both ends. 

Cerro San Cristóbal is a biodiverse sanctuary that not only creates space for families to enjoy the outdoors together, but supports a large range of pressing climate issues. The National Zoo (Zoológico Nacional) is located within the cerro and caters towards experiences that inspire respect, protection and conversation of biodiversity, whilst the historic landmark, Torreón Victoria, located in the centre of the cerro, often boasts urban planning and sustainability posters, including works from all over Chile that provide education to the public on important sustainability issues within the natural and built environment. 

Amongst its many amenities, Cerro San Cristóbal includes: outdoor pools, hikes, bike tracks, lookouts, a zoo, a japenese garden, a sanctuary and many smaller urban parks. It is truly a miraculous space that focuses on nature, family and community. 

To have a look at the full, interactive map of Cerro San Cristóbal and its amenities, click here. 

3. Ancient Civilisations - Mexico

Mexico is teeming with remnants of pre-Hispanic civilisations and traditions. With over 200 different Mayan ruins scattered across the Yucatan Peninsula alone, and countless Azteca Pyramids across northern Mexico. These civilisations not only play a profound part in the history of the country but also inform critical research into contemporary urbanisation and city planning.

The Mayan and Aztec cities were a part of the historic region of Mesoamerica, which encompassed Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and central and southern Mexico. In contrast to high-density and historical cities across the Old World (Europe, Asia, Africa, Eastern Hemisphere), these cities focused intensively on agricultural cultivation and the culmination of residential zones and urban settlements that came to serve as neighbourhoods. The small-scale, intensive urban agriculture allowed the cities to thrive and made them a pinnacle of sustainability.

Some of Mexico's most notable ruins include: Chichen Itza, Palenque Ruins, the Tulum Ruins, Uxmal, Coba, and Teotihuacan.

The famous Xcaret hosts daily performances that are dedicated to showing the history of the Mexican people and the story of colonisation. To find out more about this show, click here. 

4. Urban Transformations - Medellín, Colombia

Medellin was once home to one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Colombia: Comuna 13. Since then, the area has drastically shifted from a city in social and economic crisis, to a flourishing and integrated society with strong community participation and amenities. Although it is still undergoing changes, the city itself as a whole, is much better off. 

Medellin utilised Urban Integration Projects (PUI), a methodology and intervention system based off previous projects, acedmia, politicians and the public, to create favourable strategies to combat high levels of poverty, violence, segregation and marginality. This consisted of identifying struggling comunas (Communes/neighbourhoods) such as Comuna 1, 2 and the now famous Comuna 13, and implementing functioning systems. This was seen through transport, such as the metrocable (to work with the mountainous region) and the iconic electric stairs found in Comuna 13.

They also implemented many other components under this strategy such as: mobility, environment, collective facilities, public space and housing. Notably, the residents of these areas have stayed mostly the same, proving that it is not residents and locals that create crisis, but rather the failure of an overarching system. One that, with planning, innovation, community participation and patience, can transform into something beautiful. 

To see options for the Comuna 13 tour, click here.

Interested in reading more about Design in the Spanish Speaking World? Or perhaps go visit one of these places in person?  Join a class at El Patio and get started with your Spanish journey today!