Superblock Typologies: Classification Based on the Parameters of ‘Built Density’, ‘Urban Geometry’ and ‘Street Network’

Superblock is an ‘extended urban block planning paradigm’ designed to manage megacities’ fast urbanization and mass urban infrastructures. Even though superblock studies have been widely adopted in several Asian and European cities, there is a growing interest in the benefits of superblocks in the Middle East. Nonetheless, due to the widespread use of superblocks and their potential to become sustainable development models due to their inherent compactness and diverse applications, this planning paradigm is worth revisiting. With constantly evolving urban forms, two major concerns of superblocks require attention: how have the superblocks changed morphologically, and how can these characteristics be quantified in cities? As a result, understanding the physical characteristics of superblocks is crucial since this massive housing block affects the quality of life. Nonetheless, due to the insufficiency of the examined parameters and the lack of a reproducible, data-driven strategy, our current capacity to characterize the superblocks remains insufficient. Studies on superblocks have mostly focused on transportation, sociological, and planning issues, with little attention paid to ‘urban geometry’. Accordingly, this study intends to classify and characterize Abu Dhabi’s ‘superblocks typologies’ using the variables of ‘density’, ‘urban geometry’, and ‘networks’. Using a sample of fifty-two superblocks, a PCA-based AHC analysis produced five superblock typologies. These typologies were visually portrayed in a graphical tool called ‘Space mate’ to help comprehend the morphological characteristics. As a result, each ‘superblock’ type has its urban stamp. The findings contribute to current urban planning and policies in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. By considering variables, such as density, geometry and networks, planners may make better-informed judgments about the layout and design of superblocks, ultimately contributing to the establishment of more sustainable and resilient cities.