Cape Town: The Library and Information Services of the City of Cape Town has officially launched the Cool Spaces pilot at Sir Lowry’s pass Library as part of the ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign. The pilot showcases how the city is using existing public facilities to help the communities cope with rising temperatures.
Reportedly, the Cool Spaces pilot forms part of the City of Cape Town with broader heat response initiative by offering residents a safe, cool environment during the periods of extreme heat.
The pilot at Sir Lowry’s Pass Library included indoor cooling measures with access to clean drinking water, shaded outdoor areas and information and awareness materials to support the residents during periods of extreme heat.
It is important as the city focuses on those who are most vulnerable, including the elderly, outdoor workers, children and communities in areas where increased greening is a challenge due to local conditions. It gives shelter and establishes more shaded areas across the metro which is the key to progress.
This also featured child-friendly and educational activities to ensure the space which is inclusive and welcoming for families. The launch has brought together the city officials, Library and Information Services (LIS) staff, partner departments, community members and media to demonstrate how existing public facilities can be adapted to provide safe, accessible cooling during hot days, periods of extreme heat and heatwaves.
Furthermore, Cape Town continues to experience the rising temperatures. The city has prioritised the development of community-based cooling interventions within its Climate Change Action Plan and Heat Action Plan. The Cool Spaces pilot forms part of this response by positioning libraries as trusted, welcoming spaces that support community wellbeing.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham stated in her keynote that the libraries have always been welcoming spaces, and this launch has given new meaning to the idea of libraries as ‘Cool Spaces’.
Also, extreme heat is not just about the environment, it affects the health and daily lives of the people. Such initiatives like Cool Spaces, provide preventive support for vulnerable residents while demonstrating how public facilities can work harder for communities. With millions of visits annually, the libraries are already trusted, with welcoming spaces which makes them the right places to offer relief when it’s hot.
Manager for Resilience and Climate Change and Chief Heat Officer of the City of Cape Town – Albert Ferreira said that the pilot reflects a practical and people-focused approach to climate adaptation.
According to Ferreira, Cape Town is already experiencing higher temperatures, and this trend is expected to continue. Cool Spaces are about providing immediate, accessible relief in places communities that they already trust. By using public facilities like libraries, they are responding proactively to heat risk while strengthening community resilience where it matters the most.
Area Head for LIS – René Walker highlighted the importance of piloting the concept in a real community setting.
Walker added that, this pilot allows them to learn directly from how communities use and experience the space. Libraries already function as community hubs, and the Cool Spaces Pilot builds on this role by strengthening access, dignity, and resilience in response to climate realities.
The Cool Spaces Pilot is the result of strong interdepartmental collaboration, with LIS, Risk and Resilience, Disaster Risk Management, Recreation and Parks, and Urban Waste Management, who are working together to deliver a visible, practical, and people-centred intervention.
Although, this launch programme included a Cool Space walk-through, environmental education on recycling and littering, a puppet show facilitated by Disaster Risk Management, a children’s story reading of Lulu and the Cool Space, appearances by the City’s mascots LIBee and Bingo, and recreational activities hosted by Recreation and Parks.
Notably, insights gathered from the pilot will inform future planning and guide how similar Cool Spaces could be implemented across other public facilities in Cape Town.