How to lower temperatures in the city? Rennes, the capital of Breton, is testing an urban gazebo on one of its streets in the city centre. The street sky, which was installed by a Portuguese company, attracts many curious people.
Rennes experienced its first sweltering temperatures in July. To counteract the heat waves, the municipality decided to install a huge urban terrace on one of the downtown streets.
Environmental solution to reduce the temperature
Installed on a street where it is impossible to provide vegetation to reduce temperatures, this brightly colored tree seems to beckon passers-by. “It brings a little color, it’s a city that lacks a little color, so it’s a very good idea,” explains a bystander, when others explain that it helps to liven up the street.
This porch, made up of recyclable PVC slats according to city hall, seems to be making an impact. “In the store, I think it should be around 22-23°C. Before, it could easily go up to 28°C,” a store manager testifies, adding that now she puts on “a little bit of air conditioning and keeps the door open a bit more.”
The city of Rennes will carry out surveys in order to formalize the effects of this anti-heat veil. A practice that has already had an impact in other European cities such as Lisbon, where the temperature has dropped by 5 degrees Celsius.
