Sitting on a Barcelona terrace when the heat starts to intensify is one of those unmissable pleasures, but also a climatic game of Russian roulette. We’veall been in that awkward situation of meeting up with friends for a drink in the mid-afternoon, arriving full of excitement, only to find that our assigned table is under a scorching sun worthy of the Almería desert itself. Or, conversely, seeking out those last lingering rays of autumn and ending up shivering in the shadow of a six-story building. The play of light in our Mediterranean architecture turns the search for the perfect spot into a complex art.
To solve this eternal urban dilemma, developer Josep Moragas (@josep_moragas) has come to the rescue of terrace-goers with an innovative interactive digital tool designed specifically to completely transform the outdoor experience in the city. The project takes the form of a predictive web map that lets you know with complete accuracy and in advance the actual lighting conditions of outdoor spaces and sidewalks in the Catalan capital, instantly becoming an indispensable ally for planning your outings with pinpoint precision.
How to tell if you’ll be lounging in the sun or in the shade
To achieve this level of accuracy, the platform leverages advanced mapping technologies by combining Mapbox navigation software with the collaborative OpenStreetMap database and the actual heights of Barcelona’s buildings. Its user interface is as intuitive as it is effective, since all you need to do is enter a specific date and time of day for the system to automatically calculate, in real time, the exact projection of light and the outlines of apartment buildings onto the urban landscape.
The interface of this map is structured using a highly visual and simple color code that allows for an instant understanding of the situation on each street. Urban spaces sheltered in the shade are completely tinged with a refreshing green color, while spots receiving direct sunlight are identified with a striking yellow. This clear color differentiation helps you choose your ideal location depending on whether you prefer to soak up some vitamin D or stay cool and sheltered from extreme temperatures.
This initiative joins international trends in precision urban mapping, such as the well-known Shadowmap app, which has already demonstrated the enormous potential of three-dimensional environments for mapping cool routes and locating livable spots during heat waves. With this new adaptation focused directly on local leisure and dining, Barcelona residents now have the perfect resource to make the most of the terrace season without any unpleasant surprises or ending up drenched in sweat.
