Resilience and adaptation: how Valencia is sheltering citizens amidst heat waves

The Spanish city of Valencia is used to hot and dry summers, but extreme heat waves have become increasingly more frequent and extend for longer periods of time. Indeed, all around Europe, heat has become a serious problem. According to the World Health Organisation,  heat is responsible for around 175,000 deaths annually across the continent. Heat waves are responsible for a big part of those deaths, namely in Southern countries like Spain, where more than 8,000 people died as a direct consequence of last summer’s heat. 

To protect its citizens from the deadly heat, the current European Green Capital established a network of climate shelters, “Red de Refugios Climáticos”, where people can find refuge across the city.

Photo: Valencia Clima i Energia

Roadmap to adaptation

In 2023, and with the support of the Covenant of Mayors’ Policy Support Facility, Valencia prepared a roadmap to the establishment of the network. This roadmap, which was finally approved by the city council right before this summer, resulted in the implementation of the first stage in Valencia’s adaptation strategy.

Besides aiming to prevent deaths related to extreme heat, these shelters were also intended to reduce citizens’ thermal discomfort, while providing them access to recreational programmes and alleviating the burden on health care facilities. The project engaged different stakeholders, from local and regional staff to the EU Mission team in Valencia, while involving students as well.

This summer in Valencia, you could already benefit from the existence of ten climate shelters, and moving forward the city is planning to improve and expand the network.

Photo: Valencia Clima i Energia

Valencia’s climate shelters

Climate shelters are public facilities that serve as places of refuge when extremely high temperatures pose serious health risks. They are spaces that have the necessary characteristics to protect citizens from these periods of extreme heat.

In Valencia’s climate shelters, you will typically find an air-conditioned space set at a comfortable temperature and a fountain with filtered and refrigerated drinking water, for which the city encourages you to bring your own water bottle, increasing sustainability. There are comfortable places where to wait and rest, including chairs or armchairs, and there are public and accessible toilets available for the people using the space. But more than just a place for escaping the heat, Valencia wants to create places where everyone (including vulnerable population such as elders and children) can have a positive experience while avoiding the extreme weather: whenever it is possible, there are cultural and awareness-raising activities on offer for both older and younger publics in these shelters.

All the information about these spaces, including their address and timetables, are available in the Valencia Climate and Energy Foundation website. Citizens and visitors alike can find where the nearest open shelter is, along with useful advice to deal with the extreme heat, and relevant links and contact information for health problems caused by heat exposure. 

Photo: Valencia Clima i Energia