Overview
- At a public hearing in Ciutat Vella the deputy mayor for Prevention and Security, Albert Batlle, said his aunt used to “spend the summer in El Corte Inglés” when answering complaints about insufficient municipal cooling refuges.
- Batlle framed the remark as a 30-year-old family anecdote and argued that private venues have long served as informal cooling places, but neighbours judged the comment insensitive given current heat risks.
- The short clip of his comment went viral on social media and drew ironic posts from neighborhood groups and users calling attention to gaps in official provision.
- City officials said they will try to expand the network of civic centres and libraries designated as refuges and to extend summer opening hours, though no specific changes or schedules have yet been announced.
- Advocates warn that recurring heatwaves, routine August closures of public facilities and weak outreach leave dense, low-tree areas such as Raval and Barceloneta exposed, creating urgent demands for clear, actionable municipal measures.