Cartagena to use SuperGREENBlocks to transform its streets

The EU is providing funding to support this project, which will redesign the city, starting in the El Ensanche area

Cartagena has received around €2 million in EU funding to bring a new superblocks street layout to El Ensanche, in the heart of the city.

So what are superblocks? Basically, they group together several residential streets, directing through-traffic onto main roads while the smaller inner streets are mainly for the residents. These smaller streets will then have lower speed limits and the pedestrians will be prioritised. The idea is to deter drivers from cutting through and using it as a shortcut. 

The work will start at the junction of Wsell de Guimbarda and Pintor Balaca, where a small plaza will be built in keeping with Spain’s long tradition. The traffic and the parking will be reorganised but they hope to keep the same number of parking places.

The project, SuperGREENBlocks, is part of the EU’s LIFE 2025 programme, which supports environmental, climate and energy projects. It was first drawn up in 2017 and then picked up again by Mayor Noelia Arroyo in 2025. Cartagena is leading an international team that includes the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and partners from Italy and Hungary. The total budget is €2.72 million, with around €700,000 coming from the city itself.

Experts say the project could bring real social and economic benefits to El Ensanche. It should make the neighbourhood more liveable and puts Cartagena among the first cities in Spain to try this approach.

The programme will run for five years. The first year will focus on finalising designs with input from residents, with construction expected to start soon after.

The superblocks are designed to make streets safer, reduce traffic noise and pollution, and give people more public space to use every day.

Images: Cartagena City Hall