JUST STREETS project advances inclusive street design and superblock planning

Mobility Justice for All (JUST STREETS) is a four-year Horizon Europe project under the CIVITAS Initiative, focused on (re)designing street space to support active mobility for all citizens. Since early 2024, the project has worked to shift priorities toward the needs of under-represented and marginalised groups and encourage a move from private car use to more sustainable modes.

A key focus is the promotion of Limited Traffic Zones, particularly the superblock model: a cluster of adjacent urban blocks where traffic is restricted and internal streets are redesigned for walking and cycling, helping create more people-centred neighbourhoods. To support cities in planning such interventions, JUST STREETS has launched Superblockify, a Python-based tool that identifies and visualises potential superblocks in urban areas. The tool allows planners to rapidly divide a city into blocks and produce an initial concept for redevelopment, which can then be exported to major GIS platforms for detailed modelling. This approach saves time and resources while accelerating progress toward more sustainable urban design.

The project also places a strong emphasis on social inclusion. JUST STREETS has released a Justice Toolkit for Streets, a practical guide that translates mobility justice principles into actionable strategies for creating more inclusive public spaces. The toolkit provides guiding questions and ready-to-use methods to help cities engage communities, test new ideas and avoid forms of exclusion. It is accompanied by a comprehensive set of resources — including equity mapping tools, co-creation formats, tactical urbanism methods, participatory evaluation approaches and institutional mechanisms — all designed to help cities embed justice in long-term planning.

Author: Carla Giaume & Francesco Millio

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.