Mastodawn

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

The Netherlands is enacting it's national heat plan this week. With temps forecast to be as high as 35˚C in the middle of the week. We need to talk about shade. Specifically, about the way our infrastucture is not designed for the new normal of these high temperatures in the summer.

In the heat of a summers day, by far the best thing a person can do is seek shade. Alas the way we have designed our built infrastructure makes this difficult. Take for example this bus stop in Amsterdam.

1/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

The Glass roof and sides makes the bus shelter light and airy. In the depths of winter, this is great, it stops it turning into a dark dingy space noone wants to use. Alas in the heat of summer, it turns the space into a furnace. The inspiration for this thread came about when I got sunburnt sholders waiting for a bus last summer. Not only does the lack of shade result in being hot and sunburnt, but it also heats up the bench in the bus shelter, a crucial piece of infrastructure for many.

2/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

This isn't a one off design flaw either. It's like the entire public transport infrastructure of the Netherlands hasn't taken into account the idea of providing shade for users. Take the design of Leiden Centraal Station bus station. This is the shelter provided. This one is a double whammy, It's crap in winter, and crap in summer. I don't know what the designers were thinking when they came up with it, but it's entirely unfit for purpose. There's not even a bench to sit on while you wait.

3/n

Gonçalo Ribeiro Jun 29

On my travels in Southern Europe last summer, I thought I'd check out what the locals do there. They have a lot more sun and hot weather than up in the frozen north. They have got to have solved this problem right?

This bus shelter is in Genoa, Italy. The photo sums up the design failure nicely. People having to stand behind the bus shelter because the bus shelter itself offers no actual shade in the shelter itself.

It's quite an impressive design failure.

4/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

But that's Northern Italy, it's not that far south, it can't be that hot there. What if we go further south? Say. Spain.

Well this is a bus shelter in Madrid. A city not known for it's cold grey weather... it's a bloody greenhouse. No shade offered here at all. Just a nice boiling hot place to quietly melt while you wait for your bus...

Another one of those cases where I struggle to understand what on earth the designers were thinking. Why would you build a glass box in a hot country?
5/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

And before you start thinking this is just a bus stop problem. Here's Utrecht Centraal station. The glass panels of the platform cover are positioned perfectly to cook anyone who needs to sit in the heat of the day... This is good in winter for providing passive solar gain for cold travellers, whilst avoiding the station feeling dark and dingy. But in summer. Passengers cook. It's telling that noone is sitting in any of the benches on the platforms at this station.
6/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

This is not an easy design problem to solve. You want the sun in the shelter space in the winter to provide passive solar gain, and to make the space feel light and welcoming. but in the summer you need the shade so as to make the bus stop, or train platform a safe cool space for passengers to wait. This is an accessibility issue. Safe waiting locations are crucial for many to be able to use public transport properly. Yet, almost universally, public transport users are failed.
7/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

There are ways to design better sun/shade aware structures. That balance passive solar gain in the winter with shade in the summer, but the key to that is taking the situation into account. Being away of sun angle across the year. The way that building designers do with a Brise soleil. But then you can't copy and paste your bus shelter design across the whole city. It drives up cost. It requires thought. Which is a lot ot expect of the local councils...

8/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

One other possible solution is to not integrate the shade into the shelter itself, but to instead plant deciduous trees on the street to provide shade in the summer. And yes. This is an absolutely fantastic idea. And one that we really really really need to do. Street trees reduce local temperatures through shading, making it feel as much as 30°C cooler. They also lower temps through transpiration by about 2.5°C. Street trees are universally brilliant. We need more of them. But...
9/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

They take time to provide the shade needed. Time scales of ten plus years at least to provide a meaningful amount of shade. This doesn't mean we shouldn't be planting street trees. We absolutely should. No ifs, no buts. Planting street trees are the single simplest measure the local council can take to improve the livability of a street. But until they are big enough to provide meaningful shade for public transport passengers. We need to find a better design of bus shelter.

10/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

To illustrate just how much of a challenge this is, we need to cross the pond to LA. And perhaps the pinacle of poor bus shade design.

La Sombrita. The design of this is so notoriously bad that I, a geek who's never set foot in the US has heard how bad it is.

This is a cautionary tale of the competing obstacles to proper people centred infrastructure. Announced with some fanfair as a shade solution for bus users in LA. It's been universally mocked. But how did it happen?

11/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

La Sombrita came about due to the competing jurisdiction wrangling of the LA street.

The transit authority don't own the pavement, so can't build a shelter there. They can't take space from the road, cos car space is sacred. They often also have to wrangle private interests in the areas around the bus stop too. The result is the only place the transit authority can put anything is on the bus stop pole itself. The need to handle winds dictate the perforated design. La Sombrita is...
12/n

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

Basically all they could do within the constraints of the various stakeholders of an LA street. The podcast 99% invisible have am excellent episode that details how this all came about, I highly recommend a listen (https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/shade-redux/).

But the rest of us need to heed La Sombrita as a cautionary tale. And in the meantime time pressure local councils to build better public transport infrastructure, and of course plant more trees. Lots more trees.

13/13

Shade Redux - 99% Invisible

This past May, the city of Los Angeles rolled out a brand new, state-of-the art feature for bus shelters. It’s called La Sombrita. La Sombrita is a metal screen that’s intended to provide shade for the thousands of people who ride the bus every day. The shade screen is about two feet wide, ten feet

99% Invisible

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

PostScript. Some of you are raising eyebrows at the feeling 30°C cooler claim. That's based on research by TU Delft. Note "feels cooler" Vs standing on direct sunlight.

https://www.tudelft.nl/io/onderzoek/sustainability/i-tree-20-nl

A summary of the research in English from nl times:
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/06/trees-are-natures-air-conditioning-lowering-city-temperatures/

i-Tree 2.0-NL

TU Delft

BashStKid Jun 29

@quixoticgeek Combination of less direct sun, much less reradiated ground heat, and moderation of humidity?
I don’t know if there’s a small psychological aspect from simply seeing green ?

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

@BashStKid there is a psychological impact from nature. And trees can be enough for that.

@quixoticgeek @BashStKid I still say vines are part of the solution - but I’m in #missouri where vines abound . Smaller roots then trees, not gonna break in a storm if they get cut back every winter, shade, berries for birds, sometimes flowers for pollinators- this will require collaboration with botanists and gardeners. God forbid a non grower choose the species- that NEVERgoes well.

BashStKid Jun 29

@KatLS @quixoticgeek Interesting idea. Would that need some kind of sparse support structure (wires?) above the pavements?

@BashStKid @quixoticgeek existing shelters would do where those are in place. Otherwise, a wide metal mesh may be ideal . You’d need something people won’t damage being people.

Plsik (born in 320 ppm) 🇨🇿🇺🇦🇵🇸Jun 29

@quixoticgeek Any tree, especially a deciduous tree, is practically an air conditioner that runs on solar energy. The tree literally draws water from the ground and evaporates it through microscopic holes in the leaf surface. It can regulate these vents so that it maintains a constant temperature of around 20˚C above the leaf surface. The leaf area of a large tree is enormous. Therefore, it greatly influences the temperature around the tree. Of course, this only works if the tree has water.

Astronot Jun 29

@plsik @quixoticgeek Albuquerque, even though we are in high desert with lots of heat and low humidity, provides treebates to encourage planting trees and maintaining them. Covers new irrigation systems, buying trees, pruning, and other things to make trees more affordable for everyone.

https://www.abcwua.org/conservation-rebates-tree-rebates/

Space Hobo 6d ago

@quixoticgeek
30°C is a sweltering summer day. I'm suffering in 28°. 0°C freezes water solid. The reason we're raising eyebrows is that this sounds more plausible in degrees Fahrenheit.

Astronot Jun 29

@quixoticgeek The Albuquerque "ART" bus line is another example. They cut down all the mature trees in the median and side walks to add a bus lane without impacting the car lanes. They built raised platforms that slope so wheel chairs roll off. All seating is just spots to lean. The shade structure never shades the platform but does shade the street where no one can use it. No protection from the wind, rain or snow. But it does take a pretty picture.

Silviavont Jun 29

@astronot @quixoticgeek what a description! Looking at the picture, I'd agree with you.

samiamsam Jun 29

@astronot @quixoticgeek

it is horrible and many were against it

my thought is the mayor at the time must have gotten kickbacks

Astronot Jun 29

@quixoticgeek TLC Plumbing got the contract for the bus lane. Why a plumbing company for road work? Because the Mayor's wife is on their board. Strange that the stops were placed next to vacant lots that mayor and his cronies owned.

Painting pavement to "protect" the bus lane.
Lanes that end with no signage.
Buses sometimes on the left of platforms. Sometimes on the right.
Conflicting signage all in English (we are majority Hispanic).
So many accidents every week.

Astronot Jun 29

@quixoticgeek electric buses sourced from a company in china that never made electric buses before. Charging incompatible with local electric. Batteries with less than 40% of spec. So buses can't finish one run on a charge.
So much corruption but no one was ever charged and we are still dealing with consequences years later.
None of the signs meet federal road safety standards.
Local shopping district collapsed between construction and the new buses that make it impossible to cross the street.

Kim Scheinberg Jun 29

@quixoticgeek
Don't overlook what money interests did to reduce shade in LA

"Universal Studios is receiving a fine of $250 from the City of Los Angeles after it trimmed down trees allegedly being used for shade by writers and actors picketing outside."

https://www.newsweek.com/universal-studios-slammed-triming-trees-giving-shade-actors-writers-strike-1814860

Universal Studios Slammed After Trimming Trees Giving Shade to Strikers

While actors and writers strike in Los Angeles, Universal Studios has been accused of illegally trimming trees that were providing shade to picketers.

Newsweek

Lord HeeHaw II Jun 29

@quixoticgeek
Thanks for this. You're right on the button!

"proper people centred infrastructure" love the term & the concept! So much scope for improvement!! So encouraging to see the thinking & details of what could work... and what definitely doesn't work! Thanks again. 🙂

#PeopleCentredInfrastructure
#Infrastructure #BusStop #ScopeForImprovement
#ReconnectingConsequencesToCauses

@quixoticgeek this years vines are already 6 ft up. Just in time for July

Napoleon did it (planted trees) so his troops could match across Europe in the shade. When did a bit of longer-term planning get to be so unusual? (Rhetorical question!)

Great thread, fabulous discussion, faced so I can return to read & think about it all again, thanks so much! 🙂

@quixoticgeek +9001%

Bruno Girin Jun 29

@quixoticgeek added bonus: street trees help with water management when it rains.

Mark Burton 6d ago

@quixoticgeek
Or paint the glass with a water soluble shading compound, as used for greenhouses.

Charlie Stross 6d ago

@markhburton @quixoticgeek That's going to work really well in places that get a lot of rain. (Have you ever visited Amsterdam?)

Mark Burton 6d ago

@cstross @quixoticgeek
Inside

Simon Waldman Jun 29

@quixoticgeek the tree plan is obviously better, but how about incorporating liquid crystal in the roof and walls to adjust shading? Most shelters have power anyway, with lighting and advertising displays....

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

@swaldman would be easier to just send someone out to white wash the roof...

Simon Waldman Jun 29

@quixoticgeek but you were asking for shelters that do provide solar gain in winter?

Quixoticgeek Jun 29

@swaldman angle provides that in winter.

Simon Waldman Jun 29

@quixoticgeek ah, good point! At least in European latitudes.

I do kinda love that all the wonderful old Soviet bus shelters would do a better job than the modern western ones...

@swaldman @quixoticgeek Gotta address this separately as it strikes the nerve. Have you ever used a „wonderful Soviet bus shelter”? Preferably more than once in multiple places and different seasons.

They are different, can be better in some mild weather situations, but ultimately share the same thermodynamic issues and can even amplify the issues in extreme weather.

Concrete slab boxes, which most real Soviet shelters amount to, turn into hot ovens in lasting summer heat, for example.

Simon Waldman Jun 29

@slotos interesting - thanks for the experience!
@quixoticgeek

@swaldman @quixoticgeek You need to redirect, not absorb and radiate. Standing in a shade does nothing when you’ve got an infrared radiator overhead.

Plants store absorbed energy in chemical bonds, removing it from immediate circulation.

Simon Waldman Jun 29

@slotos mmm, not quite true, because it would radiate in all directions. But I agree that reflecting is better. And yes, I already agreed about the trees.
@quixoticgeek

Rocketman Jun 29

@quixoticgeek This thread is a great read - thank you!

You might enjoy this article on new architecture designs coming out of Africa:

You’ve been given free access to this article from The Economist as a gift. You can open the link five times within seven days. After that it will expire.

EDIT: now with gift link

African architects have cool designs for a warming planet
https://economist.com/culture/2025/06/05/african-architects-have-cool-designs-for-a-warming-planet?giftId=04023add-1a27-4f7b-b313-5fad87ab515d&utm_campaign=gifted_article

African architects have cool designs for a warming planet

They take inspiration from everything from the local terrain to termites

The Economist

sleepfreeparent Jun 29

@quixoticgeek is it really that difficult to solve? Couldn't you retrofit a solution (improvement, at least) with tiltable slats over the glass, or a retractable canvas/tarp covering?

Maggie Pie Jun 29

@quixoticgeek a big driver of this is Hostile Architecture. The dressing isn’t to keep people comfortable for a long time. Its purpose is to stop loitering aka keeping unhoused people away. This has become the standard in many urban places so you will very rarely find a bus stop you can comfortably wait for the bus at

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦6d ago

@quixoticgeek this thread is So Sad 😣

Moof! 🏳️‍🌈Jun 29

@quixoticgeek from experience, they are also not rainproof

Biorreactivo Jun 29

@quixoticgeek Madrid is an example... of what not to do. The right-wing dominated city council pleases substituting concrete for trees (see Sol square just for a blatant example). They also indulge in privatizing everything, not only public services but public spaces, so you have less and less places for sitting, hydrating or enjoying shadow unless you pay. Once you remove trees, fountains and benches, you have plenty of space for restaurants and bars' tables!
However, the situation is backfiring: in many places the heat is unbearable on the street for most of the day, even below a canopy (too much concrete, too few trees and fountains).
This have lead to Kafkian situations (here we say esperpéntico). In Sol, and looks like planning for other places the city Hall is installing canopies at large, at huge cost, low effectiveness and debatable aesthetic results.

Hedgewizard 🐈Jun 29

@quixoticgeek
To deter peeing, I should think ☹️

@quixoticgeek The other issue I have with these bus stop designs is they act like boxes reflecting road noise (and dirt) back at the waiting passenger. Similar designs in Helsinki have me standing (often with my kid in a buggy) behind them, to get some shade and avoid the noise.

@quixoticgeek … in Edinburgh they place them facing backwards (still a glass ceiling though): https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCfbJwhKVdnRenhGA (sorry for the google street view link)

Bevor Sie zu Google Maps weitergehen

@quixoticgeek These are probably the worst of many really bad designs that we have had in Madrid for the reasons you list. We are absolutely used to have right-wing-contolled city hall that operates on the basis of giving public service contracts to pals in the private sector in exchange for commissions (if they can hide them) or cusy positions after they leave city hall, but the degree of malignant incompetence is beyond simple "cheapest, fastest solution available".

Robert Link Jun 29

@quixoticgeek To make it unappealing to the homeless.

Spookybot Jun 29

@quixoticgeek being Madrid it might be a case of hostile architecture made on purpose.

@quixoticgeek you clearly don't know Madrid's mayor, who is a fascist sociopath and has been pulling up trees ever since he took over the city hall. There's a clear will of making the town inhospitable to make citizens not spend time outdoor and go consume indoor somewhere.

@quixoticgeek si observa la intensidad de la sombra verá que es casi como la de los árboles que hay detrás. El techo NO es transparente y proporciona sombra en las horas más calurosas del día. Al mismo tiempo se agradece que el resto de la estructura sea transparente y, aunque no protege de la lluvia completamente con viento racheado, es suficiente prácticamente siempre. En Madrid llueve poco de todas formas. Conozco bien esa parada.

@quixoticgeek “they’re going to die for overheating on this but, it’s so nice…

@quixoticgeek Looking at the label, it's the same company JC Decaux who gave Amsterdam a strangle (wurg) contract. They're actually an advertising agency, specialising in outdoor advertising. The bus stops are likely just a means for them.

The bus station is horrible. They don't like people sitting outside for free.

A Flock of Beagles Jun 29

@quixoticgeek we have these in canada and it's the same problem here. nearly useless in winter and summer.

BashStKid Jun 29

@quixoticgeek More attention to the advertising needs than the user needs.