Barcelona City Council will deploy 75 new shade spaces across the city this summer, with a goal to reach over 200 by May 2027. These installations include 38 in children's playgrounds, 21 in various public areas, and 16 in schoolyards.
Mayor Jaume Collboni announced this plan on Wednesday, accompanied by Chief Architect Maria Buhigas. He stated that creating these new spaces is like extending a "great parasol in the city," covering an area equivalent to two football pitches. This initiative directly addresses the increasing frequency of heatwaves in Barcelona, offering vital relief to residents, especially the most vulnerable.
New Shade Across Barcelona
Several key locations will benefit from this policy. These include Plaça Joanic in the Gràcia district and Plaça Lesseps in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. Parc de Les Rieres in Horta-Guinardó will receive the largest single shade structure, covering up to 600 square metres. Additionally, the skate park in Plaça de la Marina, located in Sants-Montjuïc, will also gain new shade.
Mayor Collboni described the municipal shade plan as one of the council's most important and new initiatives. He highlighted its role in institutionalising a policy that was "practically non-existent" until now. Collboni affirmed that, like heatwaves, shade structures "have come to the city to stay," reclaiming public space for all residents during the hottest months.
Emblematic Projects Face Delays
The City Council has already resolved the tenders for shade installation projects in three emblematic locations. These include Passeig Marítim near Bogatell beach, Plaça Comercial where the old Born market stands, and Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel. Each project features unique designs tailored to its surroundings.
Along Passeig Marítim, the plan is to cover approximately 1,600 square metres. This will involve a structure of columns topped with white fabric in the shape of mountains and valleys, creating a dune-like landscape to complement the beach and sea. For Plaça Comercial, the design incorporates rhomboid fabrics covering about 1,400 square metres. These fabrics echo the geometric patterns of the old Born market's facade and roof.
Gaudí-Inspired Designs and Future Plans
In Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel, the council chose a light structure supported by buildings and, in some cases, metal supports. This design features hexagonal modules inspired by the iconic tile designed by Antoni Gaudí, covering around 2,000 square metres of the promenade. These distinctive Gaudí tiles are a well-known feature of Barcelona's urban landscape.
The installation of shade along Passeig Marítim remains scheduled for June 2027, as initially planned. However, the Plaça Comercial project has moved to May 2028. The installation date for Portal de l'Àngel is still undefined. Officials cite the "certain complexity" of this project, particularly due to the presence of heritage-protected buildings, as the reason for the delay. The city continues its commitment to expanding shade coverage, aiming to make Barcelona more resilient to future heat challenges.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
