Rethinking Urban Green Spaces for a Hotter Future
Imagine lush forests, drinking fountains on every corner, shaded benches, and not a trace of asphalt. The green spaces designed to give Canary Island cities a place where residents can connect with nature can no longer remain the same. Soaring temperatures driven by climate change are forcing a radical redesign, aiming to turn parks and gardens across the archipelago into true refuges for the population on days when the heat becomes unbearable.
A Paradigm Shift Led by Ecological Transition
The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy is leading this paradigm shift. The goal is to move away from vast, open plains of sun-bathing lawn—common in cities where outdoor leisure is linked to sun exposure—or squares where you cannot find a single patch of shade. The future lies in promenades protected by dense tree canopies, with readily available drinking and irrigation water that is used efficiently. This change is urgent, as climate projections paint a concerning future where average temperatures will rise by nearly two degrees and heatwaves will last longer.
The Climate Reality in the Canary Islands
The archipelago is already experiencing these changes. Between 1970 and 2019, the average temperature rose at a rate between 0.25°C and 0.11°C per decade. Warming in the Canaries has been greater than the global average and has affected both minimum and maximum temperatures. The frequency of heatwaves increased between 1976 and 2015, and Saharan dust intrusions have become more frequent and intense.
Introducing the Guide for Climate Refuge Green Zones
From this pressing need emerges the Canary Islands Government’s “Guide of Recommendations for the Creation of Green Zones as Climate Refuges.” This document establishes the criteria that future parks, and existing ones undergoing renovation, must meet. In opposition to the well-known “urban heat island” effect—the temperature increase in cities caused by construction materials—this guide champions the creation of “cold islands”: surfaces where the air temperature is lower thanks to vegetation and tree cover.
Designing the Parks of the Future
New parks will need a minimum area of 2,000 square meters, though they are expected to be much larger. For reference, Santa Catalina Park in Gran Canaria covers approximately 27,500 m², while García Sanabria Park in Tenerife spans a vast 67,200 m². The guide also envisions progressive modifications to existing parks to adapt them to this new climate paradigm. While there isn’t a specific budget line yet, the 2026 Canary Islands Budget allocates one million euros for climate adaptation works and another 500,000 euros in aid to island councils and town halls for climate action projects.
The Canopy: Creating Natural Shade
A key feature will be dense tree coverage that creates natural shaded areas. The Ministry recommends planting species with abundant foliage that guarantee shade and add humidity to the environment through evapotranspiration. Species will be adapted to the local climate: cooler zones (laurisilva or pine forest) or warmer zones (tabaibal-cardonal or thermophilic forest). In parks in warmer areas, 70% of trees should be evergreen. In cooler zones, the minimum percentage of evergreen trees will be 35-45%, to allow heat to penetrate in winter.
Recommended evergreen species include the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), the Canary juniper (Juniperus turbinata subsp. canariensis), and the wild olive (Olea cerasiformis). Other species commonly used in Canarian parks, like the Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla) and the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa), are also included. In urban forests of cooler areas, deciduous trees like the Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin), the silk floss tree (Chorisia speciosa), and the flamboyant (Delonix regia) will be introduced. The Ministry recommends interspersing these large trees with small shrubs. None of the proposed species are considered exotic, though their official classification must be verified before any project begins.
Cooling Surfaces and Smart Water Use
Another innovation will be the type of pavement. To utilize rainwater and reduce warming, materials that are impermeable or absorb too much heat are to be avoided. Asphalt, tiles, and concrete will be replaced with permeable paving stones, gravel, or wood. Benches, chairs, and picnic areas must always be situated in shaded zones, which is not currently the case in all parks.
Water will be an indispensable element, both for regulating the ambient temperature and for human consumption. The Ministry proposes creating water features, like small streams or fountains, to help reduce temperatures and enhance the well-being of the environment. To avoid risks, it is recommended to prevent aerosols that could transmit Legionella and to introduce fish that feed on mosquito larvae. Parks will need a sectorized, modular, and scalable irrigation system, adapted to the growth of the tree cover and automated to ensure efficiency. The water used should, whenever possible, come from purified or regenerated sources.
A Self-Sufficient Vision
The ultimate goal is for the parks of the future to be self-sufficient. To this end, the use of photovoltaic energy to power park services will be promoted. These solar panels will preferably be installed on pergolas, restroom roofs, kiosks, or service buildings, making use of existing infrastructure.
Adapting a Vulnerable Archipelago
All these actions are part of the Canary Islands Government’s purpose to adapt the archipelago to rising temperatures. While mitigation actions—the reduction of emissions—are essential on a global scale, the intensification of heat, prolonged drought, and extreme weather events make the Canary Islands a region especially vulnerable to climate change. These new climate refuge parks represent a vital step in building resilience and safeguarding the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
