Barcelona, one of Spain’s most vibrant and visited cities, is experiencing a hot and dry summer. However, some neighborhoods are warmer than others.
And it may be for several reasons: population density and lack of green spaces. In this regard, the authorities have taken measures to cope with the extreme heat.
A study conducted by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) in collaboration with the Metropoli Institute has revealed that approximately 16% of the population of the Metropolitan Area lives in areas highly vulnerable to heat.
This study has created the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (IVAC), which identifies the areas of the territory and social groups most susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Where is it warmer in Barcelona? Discover the hottest neighborhoods in the city
As for the hottest neighborhoods in Barcelona, Nou Barris, Ciutat Vella and Sants-Montjuïc stand out as the districts with the highest temperatures in the entire city.
Other nearby municipalities are also mentioned, such as Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Sant Adrià de Besòs, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Badalona, where there are areas with high vulnerability indexes.
Within the city of Barcelona, there are also some neighborhoods that are more vulnerable to climate change.
These include Raval and Barceloneta in the Ciutat Vella district; large areas of Ciutat Meridiana, Prosperitat and Turó de la Peira in Nou Barris; Sants-Badal, Sants and Poble Sec in Sants-Montjuïc; Besòs i el Maresme in Sant Martí; Trinitat Vella in Sant Andreu; Carmel and some areas of Can Baró in Horta-Guinardó, and Gràcia.
Climate vulnerability in these neighborhoods is due to the lack of green areas, high residential density and the presence of low-income households without university education.
In addition, the houses are relatively old and in poor condition.
The maritime influence also plays an important role, since some seafront neighborhoods, such as Badalona and Sant Adrià de Besòs, although they have a high IVAC, do not experience diurnal temperature increases as significant as other inland neighborhoods of the city.
The measures
In view of this situation, it is necessary to implement measures to adapt the city to the increase in extreme heat episodes.
Some of the proposals include the promotion of urban greenery, the creation of water sources and water points, energy rehabilitation of housing, social welfare policies to reduce inequalities, the creation of more climate shelters and the promotion of energy communities.
In general, the hottest neighborhoods in Barcelona are located in the districts of Nou Barris, Ciutat Vella and Sants-Montjuïc, as well as in some nearby densely populated municipalities.
