Spanish and Colombian cities like these are taking bold, proactive action to address increasing heat. They’re implementing cutting-edge green infrastructure that makes these urban landscapes much cooler, more vibrant and overall more livable. Initiatives in Valladolid, Jerez de la Frontera, and Seville demonstrate how residents and local governments are using plants and creative architecture to mitigate the heat.
Inspired residents of Calle Santa María in Valladolid, Spain have shown us just how creative they can be! They’ve designed stunning awnings adorned with gypsophila and other greenery. In addition to the important function of providing shade, these installations further beautify the neighborhood. They are adorned with colorful cascading gardens that act to beautify. This community-driven project highlights the importance of greenery in urban settings, offering residents a respite from the sun while enhancing the overall ambiance of the area.
In Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, officials and community members are working hand in hand. They are creating vine-shaded canopies to help keep streets cooler. One amazing vine has created a canopy so big that it covers an area of 60 square meters at local sherry houses. This homegrown fix has been shown to lower surface or street-level temperatures by as much as 8 degrees Celsius. The deciduous nature of these vines allows sunlight to filter through during the winter months, creating a comfortable environment year-round.
“We’re planting vines in the old city because we hope that in two or three years we’ll be able to brag that this has put an end to stifling temperatures.” – Jesús Rodríguez
The whole effort is currently being led by Los Emparrados, a collective of passionate locals in the town of Jerez de la Frontera. Their aim, as narrowed down for this program, is to beautify and green the city’s streets while combating challenges brought on by heat. Begoña García González-Gordon, a member of the group, emphasized the dual benefit of their efforts:
“There’s a perfect symbiosis in that by planting vines in the street we’re doing something for the city as well as celebrating the vines of Jerez. Our philosophy is closely linked to Jerez vines.”
Seville is opening one of the world’s most innovative projects, yet again! The city has reintroduced an old Persian method, the qanat, to cool public spaces. The Cartuja qanat project, located at an abandoned amphitheater on the island of Cartuja along the Guadalquivir River, utilizes solar energy to cool the air.
When the sun shines, solar-powered pumps push water through long sealed underground passages. Initially, the insulated water travels through these thin pipes. Finally, fans blast the cool mist down onto the amphitheater’s open-air ground level. This sustainable approach to both heat and comfort highlights Seville’s innovative spirit, which is laying the groundwork for bold climate action through improved urban planning.
Seville can’t wait to get started on the second phase of its vine canopy project! What began with four streets will extend to twenty, linking together fourteen parks and green spaces across a 1.5 square mile area. This long-term, multibillion-dollar initiative is aimed at building a much more connected green network. In doing so, it will tremendously benefit air quality and heat mitigation.
In Alhaurín de la Torre, a spirited municipality in Spain’s Malaga province, they used colorful crocheted shawls to make shade. This new initiative spans an ambitious 500 sm! This novel solution provides serious protection from the rays. Beyond its functional ability to facilitate walking and biking, it beautifies the urban environment with its one-of-a-kind aesthetic charm.
For example, in Medellín, Colombia, city officials have recently inaugurated 30 green corridors. These green corridors include vertical gardens, 200 species of plants, and one million trees. This groundbreaking initiative has brought temperatures down by an average of two degrees, proving that embracing nature within our cities’ infrastructures is the best way to cool off.
Paris has gotten on board in a big way by recently launching a gamifying app. Now this app lays out an interconnected network of 800 “cool islands”—including parks, forests, swimming pools, and museums—across the city. This interactive digital tool provides a fun way for residents and visitors to explore these green spaces while encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle.
In La Línea de la Concepción, a creative crochet initiative called La Calle de las Mandalas has blossomed. It includes 860 round mandalas, which help form an incredible, vibrant, artistic canopy above. This creative project does much more than offer protection from the sun – it enhances community interaction and civic pride.
Climate change has led to cities all over the world experiencing rising temperatures. These innovative projects are great examples of sustainable urban development and provide impactful solutions. By integrating nature into their designs, cities like Valladolid, Jerez de la Frontera, Seville, and Medellín are paving the way for cooler, more inviting environments.