On April 10, 2024, at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, the event “How Do We Prepare for This Summer?” we gathered to deepen and expand our understanding of summer energy poverty alongside the community.
The discussion encompassed insights and proposals on heat adaptation from both the Cooltorise project and local citizen initiatives, such as, “No a la Tala,” “Termometrada,” and “Bloques en Transición.” The day included a theoretical review via a summer energy culture workshop to share technical knowledge and establish a comprehensive framework on the topic.
Following the coffee break, the second part of the day focused on gathering community insights and strategies to enhance neighborhood-level heat adaptation strategies. Attendees engaged in group discussions centered around the question: “How can your neighborhood improve to adapt to the heat?“
The strategies shared and discussed were organized into five perspectives: incorporation of vegetation and green spaces, humidification and water management, shading and ventilation improvements, enhanced routes and pathways, and community activities in climate shelter spaces. These discussions laid the foundation for the manifesto, reflecting the lessons learned during the event and the collective knowledge of the community.
We extend our appreciation to all participants who contributed to shaping this document, which aims to bring about meaningful changes in our neighborhoods. If you’re interested in learning more about the consensus strategies, you can download the Manifesto here.
