Abstract

Transformative urban policies such as 15-minute cities and Superblocks are gaining popularity across cities in Europe promising a seamless transition towards low-carbon transport modes without resorting to prohibitions and bans that could prove unpopular. However, these optimistic assumptions have been challenged by recent protests and reactions. The year 2023 saw a surge in protests against the 15-minute city concept, and in cities like Barcelona, the superblock policy became a focal point of contention in the local elections. This opposition, manifested in both the political arena and public opinion, exposed an unexpected level of resistance against urban innovations previously believed to have wide appeal.

These dynamics reveal our limited understanding of the factors that trigger acceptability and opposition towards policies aimed at transforming the urban environment to encourage active modes of travel. They also highlight our lack of knowledge regarding the real political cost for policymakers willing to implement such initiatives. This talk aims to break down the primary sources of public unrest related to policies like the 15-minute cities. Additionally, it will use the case of Barcelona’s superblocks to assess the political costs or benefits in local elections associated with the implementation of these policies.