Teulada and Moraira hatch plan to beat the heat with trees and climate refuges

As another sweltering summer puts residents under pressure, one local political group says it’s time to stop treating extreme heat as a temporary inconvenience and start redesigning towns to cope with a hotter future.

Compromís per Teulada i Moraira has unveiled a wide-ranging proposal that would see more trees planted, new shaded public spaces created and a network of climate refuges introduced to help people escape soaring temperatures. The motion is due to be debated at the latest municipal council meeting and is designed to prepare the municipality for increasingly frequent heatwaves.

A greener vision for the town

The proposal argues that many streets, squares and public spaces across Teulada and Moraira lack natural shade and are dominated by hard paving that absorbs and radiates heat throughout the day. According to the party, this leaves older residents, young children, people with health conditions and anyone walking around town particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme weather.

To tackle the problem, Compromís wants the council to allocate at least €150,000 in the 2026 budget for tree planting, expanding natural shade and renaturalising public spaces. The group says the investment would represent a small proportion of the municipality’s annual budget while delivering long-term benefits for residents.

Climate refuges and cooler streets

A central part of the proposal is the creation of a municipal network of climate refuges. These would include both indoor public buildings and outdoor green areas where people could shelter safely during periods of extreme heat.

The motion also calls for a detailed Renaturalisation Plan covering 2027 to 2031. This would identify areas most affected by heat, map shaded walking routes, record existing trees and green spaces, establish annual planting targets and prioritise improvements around schools, bus stops, parks, sports facilities, shopping areas and public car parks.

Future public works would also be expected to include more natural shade, sustainable drainage systems and measures to reduce the urban heat island effect, ensuring climate adaptation becomes part of every major project.

Responding to a hotter future

The proposal comes as Spain continues to face increasingly intense and prolonged periods of high temperatures. National health authorities have repeatedly warned that extreme heat is becoming one of the country’s most significant public health risks, with preventive planning playing an increasingly important role in protecting vulnerable people.

Whether the motion secures enough support to be adopted remains to be seen, but it reflects a growing recognition that adapting towns and cities to rising temperatures is becoming as important as responding to heatwaves when they arrive. For residents of Teulada and Moraira, the debate is no longer simply about staying cool this summer, but about creating public spaces that remain comfortable and liveable for many summers to come.