Accessibility concerns and scarcity persist for climate refugees seeking solace in public swimming pools.
In the face of soaring temperatures and intense heatwaves, access to public pools in Spain has become a pressing issue for many. The cost of public pools, combined with limited spaces and online booking requirements, creates barriers for those who may not have access to technology or struggle to find a booking.
Seville, a city with a population of 700,000, is a prime example of this issue. With only five municipal pools, finding relief from the intense heat can be challenging for a significant portion of the population. In inland cities where access to the sea is limited, the problem is further exacerbated.
Madrid, with a population of 3.5 million, fares somewhat better, with 25 municipal pools. However, the city's online booking system for pool usage can exclude those who are not tech-savvy or can't find a spot.
Greenpeace argues that the lack of public pools exacerbates the problem, especially in inland cities where heat intensifies. They emphasize that for a space to function as a climate refuge, it must be free and accessible, but this is not guaranteed in many cities.
Spain has a high number of swimming pools overall, with certain provinces and municipalities having extensive access to swimming pools. However, the density of pools per inhabitant varies dramatically. In some regions, the pool-to-inhabitant ratio is closer to one pool per 14-15 inhabitants, indicating unequal distribution of facilities.
Direct data on affordability for users of public pools in Spain is not detailed, but the widespread presence of private pools suggests some public pools may face competition or be targeted toward less affluent populations. In Spain’s public sports and leisure sector, pools run by local authorities typically charge modest entry fees, but costs and accessibility can differ substantially depending on municipality funding and subsidies.
Explicit discussions on social justice relating to access to public swimming pools in Spain are scarce, but inequalities could arise from geographical disparities, economic inequality, and health and safety considerations. Public data emphasizes pool counts and distribution rather than user cost or equity issues directly.
Erika González from Ecologistas en Acción denounces a large increase in private pools, which are more environmentally impactful and socially unjust. She insists on the need for more municipal pools to be available for a larger part of the population.
In a summer marked by extreme heat, accessing water has become a basic necessity for many people in Spain. As such, it is crucial to address the issues of affordability and equity in access to public pools to ensure everyone can enjoy the essential escape they provide during heatwaves.
If you want data on specific city policies, fee structures, or community programs addressing social equity in pool access, further targeted research or municipal sources may be necessary.
[1] Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de España (INE) [4] Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- In light of the increasing demand for cooling facilities due to climate change, the call for more affordable and accessible public pools in Spain, especially in cities with limited access to the sea, is growing among environmental scientists and health-and-wellness advocates.
- Taking into account the unequal distribution of public pools in Spain, with some regions having a pool-to-inhabitant ratio as low as one pool per 14-15 inhabitants, social justice concerns are at the forefront of discussions amid the rising health risks associated with extreme heatwaves.
- As the discussion on social equity in access to public swimming pools gains traction, the need for environmental scientists to collaborate with health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise experts to address this issue becomes evident, given the importance of water access in maintaining overall well-being and combating climate change.
