Marrakech adopts porous pavement while Spanish cities open cooling refuges amid soaring heat
A heat wave is affecting regions across the globe. In El Salvador temperatures are expected to reach 40 °C with brief showers in the west, while Quito’s forecast for 31 July calls for a maximum of 21 °C, a UV radiation warning and a 25 % chance of rain. Madrid has activated a network of climate refuges – underground halls, botanical greenhouses and cultural centers – that maintain comfortable temperatures, provide drinking water and shaded seating for residents and visitors.
In Spain’s north‑west, Ourense recorded street‑level temperatures as low as 24.6 °C at Parque San Lázaro, with many other streets staying well below the city‑wide heat peaks. Pamplona’s municipal works on Avenida de Aróstegui remain closed until 4 August because the pavement deteriorated under heavy traffic and groundwater infiltration, complicating travel during the extreme heat.
Morocco’s cities Marrakech and Agadir have begun removing traditional black asphalt and installing porous, permeable pavement. The new surfacing lowers surface temperatures, cuts flood risk by allowing rainwater to infiltrate, and helps recharge urban aquifers, providing a passive cooling effect without electricity.
Entities: Agadir · Madrid · Marrakech · Morocco · Ourense · Pamplona · Quito · porous pavement
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The cities installed porous, permeable pavement to lower surface temperatures. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pamplona experienced high temperatures on 29 July. (article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Porous pavement helps reduce flood risk by allowing rainwater to infiltrate the ground. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ice‑cream sales increased in Pamplona during the heat wave. (article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The new pavement contributes to recharging urban aquifers. (article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Marrakech and Agadir have removed black asphalt from some streets. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Residents in Pamplona sought shade, water sources and swimming to escape the heat. (article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] El Salvador will experience temperatures up to 40 °C with brief showers in the western region. (clm_new1)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ourense recorded a temperature of 24.6 °C at Parque San Lázaro, with other streets ranging between 23 °C and 28 °C. (clm_new4)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Madrid operates a network of climate refuges that maintain comfortable temperatures, provide water and shade for the public. (clm_new3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Quito’s forecast for 31 July calls for a maximum temperature of 21 °C, a UV radiation warning and a 25 % chance of rain. (clm_new2)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Avenida de Aróstegui in Pamplona is closed until 4 August due to pavement deterioration caused by traffic volume and groundwater infiltration. (clm_new5)