Redesigning China’s superblock neighbourhoods: policies, opportunities and challenges

ABSTRACT

In February 2016, China’s State Council released a set of guidelines representing a change in the country’s approach toward neighbourhood design: to move away from superblock neighbourhoods and create a finer network of urban blocks and streets. The paper traces the circumstances that prompted this change, drawing on a comparative review of international literature and practice, and explores the opportunities and challenges for urban design. While modifications of the superblock are somewhat overdue, this current mode of organization should not be entirely abandoned. The suggestions and overall blueprint warrant a more circumspect approach and should be adopted with discretion.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the reviewers for their invaluable feedback and suggestions. Justin Kollar from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design provided very helpful assistance with the illustrations.