Social Rights, Culture, Education and Cycles of Life

A total of 141 local facilities in the city’s Climate Shelters Network, including libraries, community centres, museums and sports clubs, are opening their doors to residents this winter to help them cope with the cold weather.

For the second year running, community facilities across the city are opening their doors to residents to give them a place to stay warm. This is particularly important for vulnerable people who may not be able to heat their homes comfortably. There are now 141 facilities in the network, seven more than last year.

A shelter within five minutes of home

The winter shelter initiative is an extension of the summer shelter network that has been in place for the past four years.

Work is currently under way to increase the number of facilities in this network and expand coverage so that all city residents will soon have a shelter within five minutes of their homes.

There are also plans to improve the comfort of the shelters and the quality of the services they offer, as well as to carry out dissemination and communication activities to raise public awareness of the network.

The aim is to ensure that residents have access to a network of shelters to protect themselves from extreme heat and cold throughout the year.

You can find the location and opening hours of the shelters on this website: https://www.barcelona.cat/barcelona-pel-clima/en/barcelona-responds/specific-actions/climate-shelters-network.

Winter climate shelters have the following characteristics:

• They provide a place for people to stay warm while maintaining other uses or functions.
• It is recommended that they maintain a set temperature of 19ºC in winter.
• They are especially designed for people who are vulnerable to heat and cold (babies, people over 75, people with chronic illnesses and people with fewer resources).
• They are easily accessible and offer comfortable resting places and free water.
• They are signposted with an identifying symbol at the entrance.