This is how a team of researchers works to turn the shadow into a right

A team of researchers in Barcelona has launched an initiative aimed at transforming shade into a fundamental right, challenging the traditional design of cities that prioritize sunlight over comfort. The Department of Umbrology, based in the city, operates as an interdisciplinary group of scholars and artists who study shade through the lenses of anthropology, architecture, environmental science, and the arts. Their goal is to develop interventions and policies that make shaded public spaces more accessible and integral to urban life. The project emerged from a series of experiments conducted by the architectural collective Arquitectura de Contacte, which installed a temporary shaded space called A l'ombra del Trencadís near a school on the Rambla del Badal in 2024. Initially conceived as a climate refuge over a concrete area, this structure evolved into a community hub where people of all ages gathered, played, and rested. The success of this experiment led to further exploration, including a citizen-led investigation into how shade is used and shared within urban environments. This effort culminated in the creation of the Department of Umbrology, which was formalized through a workshop titled La ciudad de las sombras. The Department’s approach is rooted in the belief that modern cities have inherited the sun-centric planning of the 19th century, which minimized shade and exposed residents, particularly during summer, to harsh conditions. In the context of climate change, such designs are increasingly problematic, making public spaces uncomfortable and inaccessible during heatwaves. By contrast, shade is presented not merely as a comfort but as a necessity, one that fosters collective action and resilience against rising temperatures. The Department has developed a fictional ordinance titled Right to Shade, which outlines proposals intended to guide municipalities toward implementing policies that ensure equitable access to shaded areas. These include measures such as guaranteeing workers’ rights to rest in the shade, limiting private occupation of public space during extreme heat, and integrating shading solutions into urban infrastructure. While not a real legal document, the ordinance serves as a tool to pressure local governments to take action based on evidence and public demand. One of the Department’s projects focuses on agricultural communities in Lleida, where many migrant farmworkers face dangerous working conditions with little protection from the sun. In collaboration with the Institute of Global Health, they have designed portable climate shelters tailored to these workers. One prototype provides cooling, ventilation, and medical supplies for those operating heavy machinery, while another offers foldable shade integrated into staircases used by footworkers. These innovations aim to improve safety and dignity in high-risk jobs. The Department also relies on academic research, urban regulations, and participatory mapping of existing shaded areas to create a catalog that identifies and reimagines these spaces. This work seeks to shift perceptions of shade from a passive feature of the environment to an active element of urban policy and social equity. Through workshops, installations, and advocacy, the team hopes to inspire broader recognition of shade as a human right, one that can shape more livable, inclusive, and resilient cities.