Polinature: A Plug-In Public Space Tackling Climate Change in Cities

In the hustle and bustle of urban life, where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, Polinature emerges as an innovative response. Designed as a temporary public installation, Polinature is more than just an artistic structure—it is a modular, reusable, and data-driven solution to combat extreme heat in cities.

What is Polinature?

Funded by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University, Polinature is an adaptive public space that will be hosted at Harvard’s campus from August to September 2024. The concept is simple yet powerful: a kit-of-parts structure composed of scaffolding, native plants, and a canopy that can be assembled, disassembled, and re-used with minimal waste.

A Global Climate Solution

Polinature isn’t just a Harvard experiment—it’s a scalable concept inspired by previous urban climate interventions like the EcoBoulevard in Madrid, the Air-Tree in Shanghai, and Cloudroom in Columbus. Designed by Belinda Tato, Jose Luis Vallejo, and their studio Ecosistema Urbano, this initiative aims to create a global blueprint for heat mitigation in urban spaces.

Real-Time Climate Monitoring

Unlike traditional green spaces, Polinature is equipped with sensors that measure temperature, humidity, and air quality inside and outside the structure. The collected data is displayed on tablet screens within the pavilion and made accessible via Polinature.com, empowering citizens with real-time insights into their urban climate conditions.

Fighting Extreme Heat & Urban Inequity

As climate change intensifies, cities face rising temperatures, with marginalized communities suffering the most due to a lack of green spaces and tree cover. Polinature serves as a short-term intervention that can provide instant relief in heat-prone areas while long-term urban greening projects take shape. Whether placed in parking lots, public parks, or vacant spaces, Polinature can instantly improve thermal comfort and promote environmental awareness.

Open-Source for Global Adoption

One of the most exciting aspects of Polinature is that its technical drawings and kit-of-parts will be made open-source. This means that urban planners, architects, and community leaders across the world can replicate and customize Polinature for their own cities, making it a truly scalable and sustainable urban solution.

Join the Movement

Polinature is more than just a structure—it’s a living, breathing climate action tool that brings people together to discuss, learn, and take meaningful steps toward sustainability. If you’re passionate about urban climate solutions and want to explore how Polinature can be implemented in your city, visit Polinature.com for more details.

Let’s reimagine our urban landscapes, one Polinature at a time. 🌿🏙️