Oasis Playground: Transforming the School Playground into an Urban urban cool island

Why have schoolyards become a climate issue?

In France, school playgrounds cover an estimated area of more than 130 km² in urban areas. With an average of 80 to 90% of their surface sealed, they become major heat traps as soon as summer temperatures rise above 30 °C. For children playing there in the sun, teachers, and nearby residents, these paved areas exacerbate the effects of heat waves.

In light of this, the concept of the “oasis courtyard” has emerged as a concrete and measurable solution. Developed primarily by the City of Paris beginning in 2017, it proposes to reinvent the schoolyard as a multifunctional space: providing coolness in the summer, promoting biodiversity, serving as a natural play area, and fostering environmental education.

What exactly is an oasis courtyard?

An "oasis playground" is a school playground that has undergone a profound environmental transformation based on three main factors:

• depaving : replacing asphalt with permeable surfaces (perforated slabs, gravel, topsoil)
• Landscaping: planting of standard trees, shrubs, flower beds, and educational vegetable gardens
• Furniture and shade:shade shade sails, wooden furniture, shaded rest areas

The goal is twofold: to lower the courtyard' perceived temperature e by 3 to 6 °C, depending on the configuration, and to create a space for urban biodiversity that is accessible to students.

Key figures for the Paris program

Since 2017, Paris has been working to transform 800 school playgrounds as part of its Climate Plan. As a result, some playgrounds are up to 8°C cooler than traditional playgrounds during heat waves. The average budget per playground ranges from €150,000 to €500,000, depending on the size and the chosen design features.

The measurable benefits of an oasis courtyard

Reducing urban heat islands

The primary climate benefit of an oasis courtyard is the local reduction in temperature. Evapotranspiration from plants and shade cast by trees create a natural cooling effect that benefits not only courtyard users, but also adjacent buildings and nearby residents. This is known as spillover cooling.

Improving biodiversity

depaving , and greening help attract pollinating insects, birds, and other beneficial wildlife to urban areas. These spaces become links in the urban green network, a central concept of the National Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

Stormwater Management

An impermeable surface directs 100% of stormwater into the drainage system. A green courtyard absorbs between 40% and 70%, reducing the risk of urban flooding and the cost of water treatment.

Educational and social benefits

Oasis courtyards also serve as educational tools: community gardens, wildlife observation, and composting. Studies show a reduction in aggressive behavior and an improved quality of life at school.

What regulatory framework and funding?

ZAN and land take

The 2021 Climate and Resilience Act sets a goal of achieving “Zero Net Land Take ” (ZAN) by 2050. In this context, the “ depaving ” of school playgrounds is directly aligned with the “land take ” reduction targets that local authorities ( Local authorities ) must meet in their urban planning documents (SRADDET, PLUi).

local climate plan (PCAET) and Climate Plan

The Oasis courses directly contribute to the objectives of the Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans (local climate plan (PCAET)), which are mandatory for intermunicipal communities with more than 20,000 residents: adapting to climate change, reducing heat island effects, and increasing urban tree cover.

Available Funding

• Green Fund (ADEME/DGEB): funding dedicated to restoration and climate adaptation
• Local Investment Support Grant (DSIL): Grants for Exemplary Projects
• Regional calls for proposals: Many regions have their own programs
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF ): for projects that are part of a climate adaptation strategy

How to manage a schoolyard oasis project from start to finish?

Step 1: Assessment of the current situation

Before any work begins, a detailed assessment is essential: level of paving, sun exposure, soil type, existing vegetation, and current uses. Today, tools for analyzing aerial imagery make it possible to conduct this assessment remotely, quickly, and across an entire courtyard complex.

Step 2: Simulation of development scenarios

Various scenarios can be simulated to compare their impacts in terms of temperature, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. This step is crucial for winning over elected officials and parents and for justifying budget trade-offs.

Step 3: Consultation and Co-design

The most successful projects are those that involve children, teachers, and parents from the very beginning.

Step 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

Once the work is complete, monitoring key indicators (temperature, biodiversity, user experience) helps highlight the project’s value in the local government’s ESG reports and provides data for grant applications.

How " Netcarbon " Can Help Your Project

Netcarbon is a SaaS tool for analyzing aerial imagery that enables Local authorities to perform an instant assessment of the environmental condition of their schoolyards, simulate the impact of various greening scenarios, and generate detailed reports for grant applications and assessments local climate plan (PCAET).

Conclusion

The oasis courtyard is no longer an experimental concept: it is a proven, affordable solution that is consistent with regulations regarding the obligations of “ Local authorities ” (municipal water management agencies) in the areas of ZAN, “ local climate plan (PCAET) ” (water conservation), and climate adaptation.