How Madrid could adapt to extreme heat without losing its essence

A speculative scenario that explores the resilience of a city that made extreme heat and frequent droughts disappear from the headlines

In the heart of Chamberí, a “Parque Verde” showcases how bioclimatic architecture and lush greenery cool the area and provide natural shade. This blend of design and nature has transformed the space, making it part of a city adapted to rising temperatures and built for resilience. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

Welcome to Madrid, a city known for its periods of extreme heat and frequent droughts. Led by Isabél Sánchez, the Madrid Chief Heat and Drought Officer (CHDO) appointed a few years ago, the city has its approach to mitigate the effects of climate change. Through bio-construction, urban vegetation, and strategic planning, Madrid has achieved the seemingly impossible: adapting to extreme heat without losing its essence.

In this Design Fiction, Isabél gives us an insight into the process that has made Madrid a global benchmark for resilience and sustainability, showing how the city has overcome one of the most significant challenges of our time.

Isabél Sánchez, Madrid’s Chief Heat and Drought Officer (CHDO). Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

What Seemed an Almost Impossible Transformation became Reality

When I was named the Secretary of Drought and Heat Resilience six years ago, we knew we faced a considerable challenge. Heatwaves were already a constant, and Madrid, our city, seemed unprepared for what lay ahead. But today, we can say that we overcame the main difficulties with solutions that are now part of our daily lives.

Madrid has renewed its urban landscape to adapt to extreme heat realistically, pragmatically, and without technological fantasy. We didn't need futuristic skyscrapers or flying cars. All we needed were smart, small, but effective solutions. Here are a few examples:

1. Bioclimatic Architecture and Urban Design for Heat

Walk around Madrid today, and you will find a city that naturally embraces bio-construction. Homes and public spaces are made from materials such as adobe, rammed earth, and recycled concrete, which are sustainable and help keep indoor temperatures cool—no more living on air conditioning.

Green facades and roofs, almost anecdotal a few years ago, are now ubiquitous. What was once a novelty is now a necessity. Community green roofs have become the heart of every neighborhood: spaces where neighbors grow food, spend time together, and help cool the city.

Green facades, rooftop gardens, and tree-lined streets have become defining features of neighborhoods, turning them into cooler and more livable spaces that help combat the impact of extreme heat. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

2. Heat-resistant streets and public spaces

The transformation of our streets has also been vital. We have not had to invent much; we just changed how we think about public space. Streets are now narrower, which helps to reduce the shadows of buildings and trees. Solar panels are integrated into street furniture, making the city cooler and more sustainable.

Narrow, shaded streets help keep the city cooler, and public furniture with greenery and solar panels adds a sustainable touch. The well-planned streets, lined with trees and lush green walls, provide much-needed shade and comfort, making it easier for people to enjoy being outdoors even on the hottest days. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

Squares and parks, which have always been meeting places for the people and visitors of Madrid, now have simple but effective cooling systems. These include water sprinklers that cool the atmosphere, public pods where people can rest and refresh, and public showers strategically placed for a quick cool-down on scorching days. Awnings made from recycled materials provide shade from the intense sun. These small but significant changes have allowed us to enjoy the city even on the hottest days without giving up our customs.

Urban parks serve as a green oasis in the middle of the city. With fountains, shaded paths, and various trees, these spaces help cool the air, improve air quality, and provide a welcoming spot for residents to unwind. The combination of sustainable design and lush greenery turns these parks into peaceful retreats, offering a break from the city’s busy pace. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

Cooling public pods and showers are designed to blend into the city’s everyday landscape, offering a way to escape the heat. These structures are placed along busy streets, giving pedestrians a cool, shaded resting spot. They fit naturally into the urban environment, providing relief from the heat without interrupting the flow of city life. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

3. Urban Nature: An ally against the heat

Another noticeable aspect is the urban greenery integrated into the city. Vertical gardens and green facades are no longer an extravagance but a practical solution that helps to reduce temperatures in busy areas. Drought-tolerant native plants are the protagonists of these spaces, and although they require little water, they contribute significantly to improving air quality and reducing heat.

A beautiful mix of historic architecture and flourishing greenery. Classic facades and balconies are intertwined with vibrant plants stretching from the ground to the rooftops, forming a stunning vertical garden. The warm, golden light bathes the scene, enhancing the charm and making it a truly captivating sight. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

Urban gardens have also changed the dynamics of many neighborhoods. Neighbors now organize themselves to maintain this little oasis in the middle of the city. Not only do they help us fight the heat, but they have also created a greater sense of community, something we all value in these times of climate change.

A lively community garden tucked away in the middle of the city. The space is brimming with plants and vegetables, carefully organized in raised beds and pots. Neighbors work together, planting new seeds, pulling weeds, and chatting as they tend to their shared green haven. Surrounded by city buildings, this garden offers a much-needed escape from the urban hustle, creating a sense of togetherness and sustainability. It’s a perfect example of how urban gardening can transform a space into a vibrant community hub. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

4. Madrid’s Metropolitan Forest: A 75-kilometre green belt

Madrid’s Metropolitan Forest project is one of the city's most ambitious undertakings to tackle climate change and create a healthier urban environment. Stretching 75 kilometers around the city's outskirts, this green belt consists of 1.5 million newly planted trees, forming a dense canopy that stretches as far as the eye can see. In addition to providing much-needed shade, the forest acts as a natural cooling system, helping to reduce temperatures in the surrounding areas. It also absorbs carbon and filters out pollutants, which improves air quality and makes the city more pleasant.

Madrid city’s green belt where nature and city life come together effortlessly. A wide, winding path meanders through the greenery, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers to enjoy the outdoors. The 75-kilometer belt is full of trees and different kinds of plants, creating a refreshing escape in the middle of the city. In the distance, the skyline, with a mix of modern high-rises and residential buildings. Source: Nicolás Bronzina/AI-Generated.

Winding paths for pedestrians and cyclists cut through the extensive greenery, providing cool, peaceful routes for residents to enjoy. The project has also led to a revival of local biodiversity, with birds, insects, and other wildlife returning to the area, bringing even more life to the landscape. From the forest, Madrid's skyline can be seen in the distance, contrasting with the vast green space that now acts as a buffer against heat and pollution. This forward-thinking initiative is changing how Madrid interacts with nature, paving the way for a more sustainable, resilient urban future.

Conclusions

Madrid has shown that it is possible to adapt to climate change without relying on radical or unattainable solutions. Our strategy has been clear: small interventions that add up to a big difference. Today, Madrid is a more resilient and sustainable city where life goes on without extreme heat being an insurmountable obstacle.

Most importantly, we have not done this process alone. The people of Madrid have been an active part of this change through our efforts and our commitment to the environment. Madrid continues to be a city where people do not give up in the face of challenges. We continue to move forward with our eyes on the future but our feet firmly planted in the present.

This is how Madrid, our city, has gone from suffering heatwaves to facing them with pride and determination. Best of all, we have done it without losing what makes us unique.

This speculative work was created by Heated, a cutting-edge consultancy agency that leverages emerging technologies and innovative design principles to address the challenges of extreme heat in Madrid and across Spain. We combine design fiction and rapid prototyping methods to clarify the clutter and help organizations anticipate the multiple impacts of climate change.

Contact me if you also want to transform Madrid into a more resilient, sustainable, and livable city in the face of increasing temperatures and climate challenges.