Valencia City Council has installed the first awnings as part of its shade plan in Plaza de España and Plaza de América. This installation serves as a “pilot project” for a future initiative aimed at combating the heat and expanding areas of sun protection throughout all of the city’s neighborhoods.
The plan is still in a very early phase, and a study is currently underway to identify areas with the highest sun exposure and a lack of trees, with a four-month implementation period (from August through November). The analysis will take into account the iconic streets included in the “Valentia Plan”— the City Council’s strategy to unify the urban image of the historic center—but will also extend to other areas and neighborhoods on the outskirts.
The work will be based on a review of best practices in other cities and a thermal analysis for each location, taking into account the urban, technical, and heritage constraints of the site. The goal is for the new structures to serve as a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix for this summer.
City Hall officials note that work is proceeding along three distinct tracks: reducing noise and air pollution by installing sound-absorbing asphalt; creating more shaded areas by increasing tree cover and expanding green spaces; and improving playgrounds and the city’s accessibility. In line with this, the redevelopment project for Sant Agustí Square includes planting 69 new trees and installing more than 300 m² of sun-shade pergolas.
Regarding the improvement of play areas, the city council has already identified five specific locations in Benicalap, Patraix, Nou Moles, Benimaclet, and Campanar that will be covered in the future with awnings and tarps.
