Planters, parasols, and mist sprayers will provide more greenery, shade, and refreshment in Basel this summer. As a component of the urban climate concept adopted in 2021, the Department of Construction and Transport is currently implementing measures that will help cool Basel this summer. By the end of June, 136 mobile elements will be installed at 40 locations in the city center and neighborhoods particularly exposed to heat. More locations will follow in the coming years. They will provide more greenery, shade, and cooling, thus improving the quality of life. Three different elements will be used: planters with and without circular benches, parasols with and without seating bases, and misting systems. Which element will be used depends on the location.

The planters will bring more greenery to places where trees cannot yet be planted, for example at the Kunstmuseum and at Klybeckplatz. A total of 62 planters, a third of which will have circular benches, will be placed at 15 locations. Plants chosen are heat-tolerant, evergreen, and shade-providing, including Parrotia persica (ironwood tree) and Heptacodium miconioides (“seven sons plant”). The plants can reach a maximum height of 5m. The planters are now equipped with sensors to measure temperature and water levels and will remain in place year-round.

Parasols are intended to provide shade where trees cannot be planted and where there are already recreational areas, such as playgrounds and squares. A total of 13 locations (including Dreirosenanlage, Rütimeyerplatz, and Barfüsserplatz) will be equipped with parasols. The four-meter-diameter parasols will be placed in groups and remain open during the summer. 

In addition to the mobile greenery and shading elements, 12 misting systems will be installed to provide short-term cooling, for example at the Pfalz behind the Münster and at Vogesenplatz. Water consumption is low, and care is taken to ensure that the water can seep away. The misting systems will be removed in winter. 

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