The power of shade. Co-producing a scalable network of cooling shelters for heat-resilient public space

Extreme heat is increasingly limiting the use of public space in arid cities, making shade a key condition for urban habitability. This paper develops a project-oriented methodology to co-produce a scalable network of outdoor cooling shelters that articulates vegetation and built form as climate infrastructure. The case of Mendoza, Argentina, combines demographic vulnerability, existing tree canopy and accessibility through a multiscalar approach and Visual Multicriteria Analysis to define priority areas and support decision-making. The study includes the design and construction of a replicable architectural–landscape prototype that improves walkability, enables everyday activities during heat events and broadens the social use of public space. The project was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Youth Climate Action Fund, supporting its implementation and co-production with local actors. Rather than focusing on the total amount of green surface, the proposal addresses the spatial distribution and performance of shade as a driver of heat resilience and thermal equity. The network is conceived as a low-cost, distributed system embedded in current planning instruments.