Eleven schools turned into climate shelters
Eleven schools turned into climate shelters
28/09/2020 - 13:16
- Escola Refugi Climàtic
- Escola Refugi Climàtic
- Escola Refugi Climàtic
Climate emergency. Outdoor spaces at these schools have been transformed so that pupils and local people can take shelter from the heat in the summer.
The measures introduced at the schools are designed to combat the heat and help build a resilient city in the face of the climate emergency. The climate shelters have been created with collaboration between public administrations, organisations and schools, with pupils and the rest of the population (when the children aren’t at school) all able to use them.
The work carried out at the schools was based around three areas:
- Blue action: inclusion of points providing water, such as drinking fountains or unique places for children to play with water.
- Green action: more green space, improvements in vegetation and the creation of shade with green walls, more garden space, trees, green pergolas and fencing.
- Grey action: adaptation of buildings to improve insulation, with canopies, awnings, protection for façades and cross ventilation.
This enabled 1,000 square metres of natural space to be regained, with vegetation in playgrounds and the creation of 2,213 square metres of new shade using pergolas and awnings. In addition, 74 trees were planted and 26 new water sources installed.
Schools where work was carried out:
- Escola Cervantes, in Ciutat Vella
- Escola Els Llorers, in L’Eixample
- Escola Ramon Casas, in Sants-Montjuïc
- Escola Ítaca, in Les Corts
- Escola Poeta Foix, in Sarrià – Sant Gervasi
- Escola Rius i Taulet, in Gràcia
- Escola Font d’en Fargas, in Horta-Guinardó
- Institut Escola Antaviana, in Nou Barris
- Escola Can Fabra, in Sant Andreu
- Escola Poblenou, in Sant Martí
- Escola Vila Olímpica, in Sant Martí
The project involved an overall investment of 5 million euros, with 80% of the cost covered through funding from the Urban Innovation Action project. The shelters will now be monitored to see what impact they have in terms of health and environmental conditions.
More work in schools to adapt to the climate emergency
With the commitment over the next few years to devote at least 25% of municipal investment for school renovation work to projects to adapt to the climate emergency, this summer saw renovation work and improvements carried out at 56 schools, with an overall investment of 3,674,465,26 euros.
The renovation work involved measures to improve energy efficiency and thermic comfort, the installation of solar panelling and comprehensive projects in playgrounds.