In Barcelona, heat waves have increased fivefold in recent decades, directly impacting public health and people’s quality of life. According to a study by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB), the heat waves of 2018 and 2022 caused a total of 180 deaths in the city. The rise in extreme temperatures, the lack of shaded areas, and the urban heat island effect make it essential to develop innovative solutions that ensure outdoor thermal comfort.

In this context, Mar d’Ombres emerges—a shading installation designed to mitigate the impact of heat in public spaces. Inspired by greenhouse structures, this solution is characterized by its quick assembly and adaptability, allowing the creation of efficient and accessible shaded areas in various urban locations. Mar d’Ombres was one of the winning proposals of the urban challenge “Generation of Temporary Shade in Public Spaces,” promoted by the Bit Habitat Foundation of the Barcelona City Council.

At Aiguasol, we have contributed our expertise in energy consulting and sustainability to the project. As members of Batec, the Cooperative Hub for Energy Transition, we conducted a comprehensive study to analyze the improvement of thermal comfort under the shading structure, assessing its real impact through detailed monitoring over five months.

A study to improve urban comfort

The analysis was based on data collected by the weather station installed on the Mar d’Ombres prototype at Parc del Fòrum (Barcelona), which includes two temperature probes, two radiation sensors, and an anemometer to measure wind. These sensors record and store data every hour over a specific period, enabling an accurate evaluation of the installation’s effectiveness.

Among the most notable results obtained on a July day are the following:

• A reduction of 6 °C in the equivalent comfort temperature (UTCI) at 1:00 p.m.
• A stable temperature of 27 °C in the shade between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• A 78% decrease in direct solar radiation.

These findings demonstrate that the installation significantly improves climatic comfort, environmental sustainability, and social life in public spaces, making them safer and more habitable during hot months.

Modular design and future prospects

The Mar d’Ombres shading structure is a large pergola inspired by greenhouse designs, covered with natural cane to provide solar protection and reinforced with gabions at the base to ensure stability. The design consists of three circular arches, each 6.4 meters wide, spaced every 3 meters, reaching a total length of 21 meters. In total, the installation covers an area of approximately 450 square meters. In terms of height, the arches reach 6.4 meters at the central point and taper down to 5 meters at the lateral ends, creating a spacious and comfortable shaded area.

With initiatives like Mar d’Ombres, Barcelona positions itself at the forefront of creating urban spaces adapted to new climatic realities, offering effective solutions to ensure the well-being of its citizens.

A shade guide for more resilient cities

In addition to the prototype and the study of its impact on outdoor thermal comfort, we have developed a “Shade Guide” aimed at municipalities in the province of Barcelona, providing clear criteria for selecting and designing efficient and sustainable shading solutions.

The document outlines two main categories of recommendations:

• Basic criteria: thermal comfort, materials, construction, and environmental impact.
• Complementary criteria: biodiversity, water management, and additional uses of shade.

This tool is essential to guide the development of more livable, resilient, and sustainable cities in the face of climate change.