As Barcelona faces record-breaking summer heat, some families are spending evenings in shopping centres to escape soaring indoor temperatures at home. At Mágic Badalona, Lamia Kaidi and her children arrive around 6:00 PM daily, staying until 10:00 or 11:00 PM. "We can't be at home because of the heat. Here, on the other hand, it's cool and there are things to do," she said.

For Kaidi and others, the mall has become a refuge from uncomfortable living conditions. Luz María Rius, a 48-year-old resident of Badalona, visits several times a week. "We're afraid to use the fan all day because it uses a lot of electricity," she explained. "I can't imagine how high the bill would be if I had air conditioning."

The trend reflects a growing challenge across the Barcelona metropolitan area, where climate change is reshaping how people access thermal comfort. According to the Barcelona City Council, 97% of residents now have a climate shelter within a ten-minute walk of their home. The city maintains a network of over 500 such spaces, including libraries, community centres, sports facilities and green areas.

These designated climate shelters are part of the city's Heat Plan, aimed at reducing vulnerability during extreme temperatures. Most are open-access facilities that maintain their usual functions while offering relief from heat. Recommended indoor temperatures are around 27°C, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and those with chronic health conditions.

Yet private spaces like shopping centres are increasingly serving a similar role. While not officially part of the municipal network, centres like Mágic Badalona are included in the Metropolitan Network of Climate Shelters. Unlike public facilities, they offer extended hours and entertainment options, making prolonged stays more bearable for families.

Pilar Moral, another regular visitor, brings her dog along. "Unlike other climate shelters, I can enter here with my dog, who also suffers from the heat," she said. Others appreciate the variety of activities available, from arcade games to cafés, allowing them to combine errands with cooling off.

However, these spaces remain commercial by design. Mariano A. Pucheta, an architect specialising in environmental design, noted that while shopping centres can provide thermal comfort, they were not built to serve as social refuges. "A shopping centre cannot have a social vocation because it is not its genesis," he said. Still, he believes these venues could adopt an intermediate role by offering rest areas and water without requiring consumption.

Expanding Access to Cooling Spaces

The Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) now counts 244 operational climate shelters, 31% more than last year. Five years ago, there were only 20. Anna Romero, director of Climate Action Services at the AMB, said the goal is for everyone, especially vulnerable populations, to have access within a ten-minute walk. Currently, over 80% of the AMB population has guaranteed coverage.

The Generalitat has launched a public viewer mapping nearly 2,000 climate shelters across Catalonia, most in urban areas. Meanwhile, municipalities like Lleida and Girona have expanded their offerings, with Lleida providing fans to vulnerable residents through a loan scheme.

Despite progress, demand is evolving. "Citizens are now asking us for these shelters to have more services," Romero said. Requests include internet access, pet-friendly areas and even night shelters, as tropical nights, when temperatures remain above 20°C, become more frequent.

"It's very sad not to feel comfortable in your own home," said Luz María Rius, highlighting the emotional toll of rising temperatures and energy costs.

As climate change intensifies, experts agree that long-term solutions must go beyond temporary refuges. Pucheta predicts shopping centres will adapt with more efficient cooling systems and better-rested spaces, integrating climate resilience into their business models. For now, malls like Mágic Badalona remain a practical, if imperfect, haven for those seeking relief from the heat.

How to Find a Climate Shelter

Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, barcelona.cat. Reported by eldiario.es, Albert González Farran, Gerard Pruna, preventionweb.net.