A petition on change.org demands that ADIF and the City Council of Seville convert Santa Justa station into a climate refuge, with free water fountains, rest areas, and cool spaces open to all.
Santa Justa station, one of the main gateways to Seville, could become a climate refuge if the signature collection campaign launched on change.org is successful. The promoters are calling on ADIF and the local council to enable the site as a public, free, and accessible space to combat heatwaves, which are becoming increasingly frequent and intense in the Andalusian capital.
The initiative highlights that heat is already the main health risk in Seville during the summer months. According to data from the Ministry of Health, in June 2026 alone, one thousand deaths were attributed to high temperatures across Spain. Despite this, the city lacks a network of climate refuges like those already existing in other locations, and public spaces where people can shelter from a heatwave are scarce.
A million-euro reform without free water
The petition's advocates denounce that ADIF is investing more than 4.6 million euros in the renovation of Santa Justa, but that amount is being spent on ornamental lighting of the facade and the renovation of the VIP lounge, known as the Club Room, which costs over 400,000 euros and is exclusively for first-class travellers. “Public money for the comfort of a few, while the station offers neither a water fountain nor a refuge space for ordinary people,” the activists criticize.
In 2025, the railway manager announced that it would convert its stations into climate refuges, with free water fountains, shade, and rest areas. It has already done so in Bilbao and installed fountains in Atocha and Valencia, but nothing has happened in Seville nor has it been announced that it will. The campaign reminds that the station in the Andalusian capital, due to its location and influx, should be an example of that policy.
Three specific demands for Santa Justa
The petition, addressed to ADIF and the Ministry of Transport, demands three specific commitments. Firstly, free water fountains for everyone, without the need to purchase from the establishments. Secondly, that the lobby and common areas function as refuge on days of extreme heat, with air conditioning and free access. Lastly, that comfortable and accessible seating areas be provided, without the obligation to pay, so that anyone can rest.
Furthermore, the campaign does not forget the exterior surroundings of the station, pending redevelopment on ADIF and City Council land. They propose areas with high tree density and permeable materials, instead of pavements that exacerbate the “heat island” effect. They also request structural elements with water that cool the environment, such as fountains or small ponds, which would also serve as play areas for children. Finally, they advocate for sustainable urban drainage systems that maximize the use of rainwater.
The initiative has started to circulate strongly on social media and already has several hundred signatures. The organizers hope to reach the thousands needed to force a response from the authorities. In the meantime, the people of Seville and visitors continue to seek shade in a station that, for now, offers no free relief from the heat.
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