The need for heat-resilient, natural play spaces: Thermal mapping of playgrounds in a compact Mediterranean city

As the climate gets warmer, the design of outdoor play spaces needs to take into consideration that children are more vulnerable than adults to extreme heat. In compact Mediterranean cities such as Thessaloniki, open public spaces for play (municipal playgrounds) typically include rubber floors, which emit toxic substances proven to be hazardous to health, and industrially manufactured play equipment, often without trees to provide shade. This research examines current thermal conditions in three of Thessaloniki’s central playgrounds through surface temperature measurements using a thermal camera during June 2025. Results reveal that shade (either from trees or from buildings in the perimeter) is the most crucial aspect for heat-resilient playgrounds. In terms of materials, rubber surfacing (poured-in-place or in the form of tiles) is the worst in terms of thermal behaviour, as it was found to be up to 37 degrees hotter than air temperature. The presence of trees creates microclimatic conditions that are much cooler than the sun-exposed parts of the playgrounds, and the coolest surfaces were the ones covered with grass. Playgrounds were overall unused before sunset. Findings underline the urgent need for interventions: to remove rubber surfaces and to provide natural shade through planting trees.