Barcelona has opened the playgrounds of its municipal nursery schools to the public as climate shelters, according to the Ajuntament de Barcelona. The spaces are intended to give residents a place to cool down during periods of high temperatures.
The programme, which the city describes as “municipal nursery schools open their playgrounds as climate shelters”, adds another option to Barcelona’s network of public cool spaces. It is aimed at helping people cope with heat, especially during the hottest parts of the year.
The city council says the move is part of a wider effort to increase the number of climate shelters across Barcelona. Using existing school facilities allows the network to expand quickly, with a focus on areas where residents may need nearby relief from the heat.
Families with young children and older residents are among those most likely to benefit from the playgrounds, which offer shaded areas and, in some cases, water features. The council says it wants residents to have access to a cool space within a short distance of home.
This approach builds on earlier use of public buildings and parks as climate shelters. For more local coverage, see our news tag and the Ajuntament de Barcelona website for official city information.