13. Cooling The Heat: Paris OASIS Schoolyards (Target 13.1)

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

The Problem Paris is dense and heavily paved, and heatwaves are increasing. Many school playgrounds are asphalt.

The Move They Made The City of Paris started the OASIS schoolyards programme in 2018, as an action in its 2017 resilience strategy. OASIS stands for Openness, Adaptation, Sensitisation, Innovation and Social Ties. Asphalt yards are replaced with planting, permeable surfaces, shade and water features. Pupils, teachers and parents help design them, and families join weekend building workshops. Three schoolyards were transformed in 2018 and around thirty in 2019. An EU Urban Innovative Actions grant funded and evaluated ten pilot schools from 2019 to 2021.

The Proof The city reports that 208 schoolyards have been redesigned. It aims to reach all of its roughly 770 schools by 2050. The yards also open to local residents outside school hours.

Your Move Paris began with three schoolyards. Start with one surface you control, measure it before and after, and design it with the people who use it.

Sources

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12. Community Composting In Mechelen (Target 12.5)

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14. Eyes On The Sea: Bantay Dagat, Philippines (Target 14.2)