Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

The new plan will transform school playgrounds into green spaces where people can play, learn, organise community activities and tackle the effects of the climate emergency. The measure involves work at ten infant and primary schools during the year, turning them into climate shelters and broadening their use.

Primary school pupils spend over 3,000 hours in the playground. Rethinking playground uses will improve quality of life for these children’s.

The priorities of the plan are to:

• Defend the importance of inclusive play and education outdoors for children’s well-being.
• Combat the climate crisis with the creation of climate shelters.
• Gain new neighbourhood facilities.

How will school playgrounds be turned into climate shelters?

With more greenery, more water supply points and the adaptation of buildings to help regulate temperatures and create more pleasant surroundings.

The plan brings together the things learnt from the climate shelters already created at eleven schools, which have seen 1,000 square metres of concrete make way for spaces with vegetation. In all, 74 trees have been planted, 2,213 square metres of shade generated and 26 new water supply points added.

More playing and community activities

Another goal in the playground transformation plan is the introduction of new play elements and activities to stimulate children, bringing them closer to nature and ensuring that everybody can enjoy it. The action will help towards the goal of turning the city into a huge playable space.

Work will also focus on opening up these spaces to the neighbourhoods, so that everybody can make use of them for activities.

Ten schools a year

The work should transform ten infant and primary schools a year, with action to be defined with children, families and teaching staff to adapt to the specific needs in each case.

The ten publicly operated schools included in the playground plan for this academic year are: the Escola Auró, the Escola Bogatell, the Escola de les Aigües, the Escola Duran i Bas, the Escola Francesc Macià, the Escola L’Estel, the Escola Palma de Mallorca, the Escola Parc de la Ciutadella, the Escola Pau Casals de Gràcia and the Escola Ramon Llull.