The Popular Party of sa Pobla will bring a motion to the next municipal plenary for the urgent installation of shaded areas in squares, parks and public spaces in the municipality, due to the high summer temperatures.
The municipal group of the PP in sa Pobla has announced that it will present a motion at the next plenary to demand an urgent plan to provide shade to the main squares, parks and public spaces in the municipality. The initiative responds to the high temperatures recorded during the summer which, according to the Popular Party, turn many of these places into "authentic heat islands".
The party spokesperson, Pedrona Seguí, has denounced that several areas remodelled in recent years lack sufficient sun protection. "We cannot wait ten years for the trees to grow while the residents suffer extreme temperatures in squares and parks every summer without any shade," she stated in a press release.
The PP considers the planting of new trees to be positive, but warns that it will take years for the specimens to reach the necessary size to provide shade. Therefore, it proposes the provisional installation of tensioned sails, awnings or lightweight pergolas that allow these spaces to be used during the hottest hours.
Among the locations highlighted by the party are the Mercat square, the Donants de Sang square, the Alexandre Ballester square and the Metge Duet square, as well as several playgrounds and areas of high foot traffic. According to the Popular Party, the lack of shade limits the use of these spaces for much of the day and particularly affects children, families, and the elderly.
"There are quick, effective solutions that are compatible with the design of public spaces. We cannot wait for nature to solve a problem that is already affecting the health and well-being of citizens," Seguí pointed out.
The motion proposes that the new structures primarily protect benches, rest areas, and children's zones. It also calls for ensuring the operation and maintenance of existing drinking water fountains and studying the installation of new points in the most frequented areas.
Additionally, the PP proposes that future urbanisation or remodelling projects for streets and squares incorporate architectural elements that provide shade from their design, so that reliance is not solely on the growth of trees.
The initiative comes amid a heatwave, when temperatures in sa Pobla frequently exceed 35 degrees. Residents and visitors seek refuge in the few shaded corners, while many squares remain empty during the peak hours of the day.
The debate over the need for more shade is not new in the municipality. In previous years, various neighbourhood associations had already requested similar measures, but until now, a comprehensive plan like the one proposed by the PP had not been put forward.
The motion will be debated at the next municipal plenary, scheduled for the coming weeks. The governing team, from the PSOE, has not yet commented on the proposal, although municipal sources assure that they will study the technical and economic feasibility of the measures.
If approved, the plan could be executed in several phases, starting with the most frequented areas, such as the Mercat square and the playgrounds. Residents hope that this time, promises will become reality and that next summer they can enjoy cooler and more liveable public spaces.
You may also like
