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Date Published: 16/08/2022

Murcia City plans climate shelters to protect against heatwaves next summer

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The project has been delayed and many believe an “opportunity has been lost” in Murcia

Murcia City plans climate shelters to protect against heatwaves next summer

Spain has been experiencing one of its most intense heat periods in decades, and the unprecedented weather front that has already resulted in many fatalities, not to mention destructive wildfires and untold damage to crops. The Region of Murcia has certainly borne the brunt, with temperatures climbing as high as 45ºC in places, which is why several councillors have called for the construction of climate centres: urban areas situated in a cool spot where people can take a break from the heat.

Climate shelters are nothing new, and Barcelona has around 200 such structures which are working well to protect citizens during heatwaves. The idea to bring these facilities to Murcia was floated at the plenary session back in July, but the City Council hasn’t proposed a deadline for carrying out the project, saying only that they are “working intensely” and hope to get started “very soon.”

Since it’s now mid-August, it’s safe to assume that Murcia won’t see any climate shelters this summer and it’s more likely that they’ll begin to appear in time for next summer, a missed opportunity, according to Councillor Ginés Ruiz Maciá.

"We learned from the experience that other cities had, and we looked, especially at how they were working in Barcelona, and we saw fit to bring it here, where we are well aware of the damage that extreme heat can cause," Mr Ruiz Maciá explained, adding that "although it may not seem like it, the City Council has a good number of premises that could function as a climate shelter, which means that it will not even require a large investment”.

The shelters would mostly be aimed at people more vulnerable to the heat such as pregnant women, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, and would also serve the homeless. But of course, shaded areas dotted around the city would benefit everyone who has occasion to be on the street in the summer.

Those in favour of climate shelters have argued that currently, people seeking relief from the heat flock to air-conditioned shopping centres, which is killing small businesses. In addition, “the fewer pleasant places you have to walk, the more you take the car and the more cars circulate, the larger the heat island effect,” which only serves to drive the temperatures up further.

The City Council is yet to lock in a date, but estimates so far indicate that the authorities will begin identifying suitable climate centres in the autumn.

Image: Archive

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