As the sun continues to beat down on the city of Cambridge, bringing with it rising temperatures that signal the pressing dilemma of global warming, the city is using a blend of utility and art to cool down its public spaces. Cambridge has rolled out a series of innovative shade structures, merging the practical need for respite from the sun with the engaging allure of public art. These installations are part of the city's forward-thinking "Shade Is Social Justice" initiative, which recognizes that as temperatures climb, so does the need for accessible shade.
The first of such structures, titled "Growing Shade," is already offering a cool sanctuary near Russell Field playground. It's the brainchild of Colombia-raised, Cambridge-based architect Alejandro Saldarriaga and collaborators from Boston's Northeastern University. In word obtained by the City of Cambridge's official news release, more of these installations are set to pop up in Central Square, and Donnelly Field come July, with community festivities planned to celebrate their arrival.
The "Shade Is Social Justice" program not only provides residents with immediate relief from heat, but is also a dialogue starter about climate resilience and finding meaningful solutions to the challenges that come with a warming planet. Cambridge isn't stopping at shade, as their commitment to climate adaptability extends to a future free of fossil fuels for commercial buildings by 2035, an electric vehicle charging initiative, and a cycling and bus infrastructure that's getting more robust by the day. A portion of the funding for these projects comes courtesy of a $100,000 Accelerating Climate Resiliency grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, with additional contributions derived from the coffers of New England Development, the development force behind CambridgeSide.
In the spring of 2023, Cambridge put out a call inviting designers to contribute to the shade project. From a pool of 18 hopeful applicants, a panel composed of local community members handed five candidates the opportunity to make their mark on the cityscape. According to the same news release, we can expect two more shade structures to grace various locales in the summer of 2025. Amidst the backdrop of rising global temperatures, it's a poignant reminder, hot weather isn't just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Programs like "Shade Is Social Justice" are not only smart urban planning, but lifesaving public health measures as well.
The team driving this initiative spans a cross-section of Cambridge departments, including Cambridge Arts, Community Development, Public Works, and Public Health. Guided by leaders like Claudia Zarazua and Lillian Hsu, the group taps into the broader knowledge base of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s regional Resilience Community of Practice. It's a collective effort aimed at bolstering the city's response to the environmental adversities of our times. For more details about the program, click here to read the city's announcement.
