Public realm/urban design/placemaking/parks planning will need to change in the face of climate change

A few weeks ago I mentioned how some of the responses by Paris to the European heatwave was the installation of misters in public places, keeping certain parks open 24 hours, erecting temporary pools, and extending the hours of existing pool facilities.

And I used this to make a point about the hours of operation for pool facilities in summer more generally -- most cities, at least DC, don't keep pools open late enough, early enough in the season, and late enough in the season. E.g., most outdoor pools are scheduled to close in August, even though in DC, it remains unbearably hot for most of September.

Misters on Las Vegas Boulevard in 2017.  Photo: Richard Brian, Las Vegas Review-Journal.

That should change anyway, but especially in the face of climate change, where more cities are going to be brutally hot for many more days each year. E.g., I've lived in DC for about 32 years, and I can't remember a July that had so many days of 90℉+ weather, let alone multiple days topping out at 100℉ or more.

What we'll need to do is to develop a systematic checklist for these kinds of elements.  And work to put them in plans.

1. Park and recreation center operations will have to change.  More places should install splash fountains.  And adults should be welcome to use them, at least at certain times.

Silver Spring

2. Bike paths need tree cover.

A new pump and repair stand have been installed on the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Silver Spring. I used to think these pumps were great, but they break down pretty quickly, even though they are rated for rough and tough public use. And on the MBT in DC, a repair stand has had most of its tools stolen.

Charlie has mentioned this for years, and I don't think it's considered systematically in trail design currently.  (At least not on the Met Branch Trail between Franklin Street NE and NoMA.)

(I do it with angel hair pasta and regular tomatoes, diced and lots and lots of parmesan.)  

Today, I went to the Silver Spring Farmers Market to buy some tomatoes for a chilled pasta dish, which is perfect for the weather this month ("Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes and Arugula," New York Times), and considering how hot it was it wasn't terrible biking because there was a breeze. But going back on the bit of the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Takoma Park, which is lined by trees, I was reminded of this point.

3. Hot places often had continuous awnings and overhangs along the streetfronts in commercial districts.  With air conditioning and the creation of completely internal shopping spaces, we've moved away from that, but it may have to be reconsidered.


Restaurants and other private-public spaces install misters too, depending on the weather, like this one in Las Vegas.


4.  I mentioned yesterday the idea of installing drinking fountains in building facades.

5. Phoenix puts misters in bus shelters. More places will have to do that. And in more places than bus shelters.


Today there was a misting tent at the Farmers Market.