superblock

American  

[soo-per-blok] / ˈsu pərˌblɒk /

noun

1. an area of city land larger than the usual block, treated according to a unified plan and generally closed to vehicular through traffic.

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Etymology

Origin of superblock

First recorded in 1925–30; super- + block

Example Sentences

On a recent afternoon, Jaime Batlle and Iñaki Baquero, who teach architecture at the International University of Catalonia, walked along El Born’s cobblestone streets pointing out changes the superblock had produced.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2016

Marta Louro, 40, a teacher who lives next to an intersection, said the superblock would make streets safer and reduce pollution.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2016

Within each superblock, streets and intersections will be largely closed to traffic and used as community spaces such as plazas, playgrounds and gardens.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2016

The superblocks idea was first outlined in 1987, after noise mapping revealed that levels were too high, and the first superblock was tested in 2003 in Gràcia.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2016

In Eixample, a superblock will consist of nine existing blocks of the grid.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2016