Hide and Seek Forest

Fundación Integra, a leading early childhood education network in Chile, provides free, high-quality education to thousands of children, fostering equity, inclusion, and holistic development. Its nurseries and kindergartens create nurturing spaces that promote learning, well-being, and social integration from an early age. The Papelucho Nursery in Renca, a low-income commune facing significant social and environmental challenges, serves as a vital resource for families. Renca ranks second in Chile for its urban heat island effect, with scarce green infrastructure exacerbating extreme temperatures and limiting safe outdoor play for children.

As part of the Barrios por el Clima initiative, which targets heat mitigation in central Chile’s 10 hottest urban areas, this project introduces a pocket forest in Renca’s eastern sector. This transformative green space will provide shade, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen community ties. Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative will generate critical data on heat maps and air quality, informing sustainable urban planning. By reimagining the nursery’s surroundings, this project enriches the lives of children and families while setting a precedent for equitable, climate-resilient community development across Chile.