Small steps, big change: designing superblocks and resilience in Barcelona and Melbourne

In this special event for Melbourne Design Week, Salvador Rueda Palenzuela – international urban ecologist, placemaking expert and one of the pioneers of the Barcelona Superblocks – will join RMIT Professor Marco Amati in conversation.

Superblocks or superilles in Catalan are an urban sustainability design approach pioneered in Barcelona to transform city places, spaces and mobility. They are internationally recognised for design that prioritises people over cars, deepening community participation, engagement and cohesion. 

Salvador Rueda Palenzeula and Professor Amati's discussion will explore what an urban superblock design could mean for Melbourne and how the city can become more climate resilient through small steps leading to big change. 

A spokesperson for the environment across many decades, Salvador has developed a coherent ecological theory of urbanism which continues to resonate. He has directed more than 400 urban and territorial projects in 144 cities around the world, addressing the interaction of different elements within cities that affect the potential for environmental remediation.

Currently Director and President of the Urban Ecology and Territorial Foundation, Salvador has dedicated his career to addressing the escalating climate crisis, using his expertise to build understanding and to actively transform city places, spaces and mobility. His work has helped improve health and safety as a direct outcome of prioritising people and community and rethinking the way transport and human activity operates within a city.

Upcoming events

Share

rmit-games-day-reference-1220x732.jpg

Monthly RMIT Games Day 2026

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 25 Jan 2026 - 14 Dec 2026
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. RMIT City campus

RMIT are back for RMIT Games Day 2026 tournaments!

study-expo1220x732.jpeg

RMIT Study Expo

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 29 Jan 2026

RMIT gets you ready for what’s next – and at our upcoming Study Expo, you’ll discover how.

hundred-years-of-broadcast-tv-1220x732.jpeg

100 Years of Broadcast TV: Reflecting on its Impact and Future in Australia

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 06 Feb 2026
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. Melbourne

RMIT University's Streaming Industries and Genres Network (SIGN) proudly presents the 100 Years of Broadcast TV Symposium, reflecting on the impact of the broadcast signal across media and communication industries in Australia.

Load more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures