Innovative Shade Structures Arrive To Help Cambridge Address Warming World


7/10/2024 • 4 months ago

"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.
"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.

Innovative Shade Structures Arrive To Help Cambridge Address Warming World

Looking for a place to cool down and admire some public art? As part of the City of Cambridge’s Shade Is Social Justice program, temporary public art structures are being installed to provide shade and seating across the community to further the city’s efforts to address our warming world.

You can sit down in the shade at “Growing Shade” located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge. It's designed by Colombia-raised, Cambridge-based architect Alejandro Saldarriaga and Boston's Northeastern University.

Additional installations are expected to arrive in Central Square and Donnelly Field near Kendall Square in July. Community celebrations will happen at each location at a later date.

The Shade Is Social Justice program helps Cambridge adapt to global warming by strengthening our climate resilience and preparedness. It uses the power of art and design to shape perception, stimulate discussion of the challenges, and find solutions. Cambridge’s additional climate efforts include an ordinance requiring large commercial buildings to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2035, an electric vehicle charging program, and improving infrastructure for bicycle and bus transportation.

"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.
"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.

Shade Is Social Justice was initially funded by a $100,000 Accelerating Climate Resiliency grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The City of Cambridge has identified additional funds to increase the number of artists and sites. The budget includes mitigation funds from New England Development, the developer of CambridgeSide.

A call for designers was announced in spring 2023. A panel of community members selected five winning designers from 18 applicants from the region based on past work and interviews with the candidates. Two additional shade structures are expected to be installed at locations across the city the summer of 2025.

Remember, hot weather and extreme heat can cause serious illness and can even be life-threatening. Seeking shade and staying hydrated can help you cool down during extreme heat.

Shade Is Social Justice is led by Claudia Zarazua, Arts and Cultural Planning Director for the City of Cambridge, and Lillian Hsu, Cambridge Arts Director of Public Art & Exhibitions. The project team includes staff from multiple departments: Cambridge Arts, Community Development Department, the Department of Public Works, and the Public Health Department. The project team is part of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s regional Resilience Community of Practice, which supports grantees, advances better practices, and reduces barriers to progress.

"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.
"Growing Shade” by Alejandro Saldarriaga and Northeastern University located near the Russell Field playground, between Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street and Harvey Street, North Cambridge.