Temporary markets, food festivals and pop-up events bring life to the city. But with the sun comes not only a good mood – but also the dark side: overheating, lack of quality of stay, uneven use of space. Digital shade planners promise to remedy this situation. They use state-of-the-art simulations to show in advance how and where shade can be optimally created and controlled in temporary event areas. But how does it actually work? Who uses these tools specifically? And what does this mean for the future of urban open spaces?
- Definition and functionality of digital shadow planners for urban events
- Technical basics: 3D models, geodata, sensor technology and simulations
- Practical examples from German-speaking countries: temporary markets, city festivals and events
- Climate adaptation, quality of stay and health protection as key objectives
- Interdisciplinary collaboration between urban planners, architects, event organizers and IT specialists
- Data protection, governance and implementation challenges
- Opportunities for citizen participation and transparentTransparent: Transparent bezeichnet den Zustand von Materialien, die durchsichtig sind und das Durchdringen von Licht zulassen. Glas ist ein typisches Beispiel für transparente Materialien. decision-making processes
- Risks: technological dependency, commercialization, urban justice
- Outlook: From temporary intervention to the permanent transformation of urban spaces
What are digital shadow planners? Definition, technology and urban relevance
Digital shadow planners are specialized software tools that use 3D city models, current geodata and meteorological information to simulate how sun and shadow move in urban spaces over the course of the day and year. Originating from classic urban planning and architecture – think of the good old shadow disk on the drawing board – these tools have developed into powerful digital twins. They allow complex scenarios for temporary markets, open-air events or summer festivals not only to be played out in the office, but also to be changed and optimized directly on the tablet on site.
Detailed 3D models of the relevant city or district areas form the technical basis. Not only buildings, but also trees, temporary structures, market stalls, tents and even mobile umbrellas are modeled as digital objects with their respective heights, materials and reflective properties. Sensors and current weather data are used to realistically depict solar radiation depending on the time of day, season and cloud cover. The software then calculates how shaded areas shift, where heat spots occur and which areas are particularly protected – all simulated in real time or for any point in time.
In contrast to classic, static shadow impact images, digital shadow planners enable rapid adaptation to changing conditions: For example, an event planner can simulate what happens if an additional food truck is set up, a tree has to be felled or new awnings are installed. The effects on the quality of stay, thermal comfort and accessibility are immediately visible. This gives planners, event organizers and authorities unprecedented planning flexibility and enables them to design urban spaces dynamically and in a climate-friendly way – from small market areas to large events in city parks.
The relevance of these tools is growing enormously in view of climate change and the increasing density of urban spaces. Temporary markets and events are popular instruments for revitalizing city centres, but they are increasingly reaching their climatic limits. Overheated spaces, a lack of shade and health risks for visitors and stall operators are becoming real problems. Digital shade planners can help here by not only identifying problems, but also simulating concrete solutions: Where is it worth investing in mobile shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. systems? Which stand layout ensures ventilation? And which areas remain usable even at 35 degrees?
Digital shade planners also contribute to urban justice. They make it clear which groups benefit from temporary interventions – and which may be excluded. Anyone who has ever found themselves at a market between hot asphaltAsphalt ist ein wasserundurchlässiges, dichtes Material, das hauptsächlich zur Herstellung von Straßenbelägen und Bürgersteigen verwendet wird. surfaces and scorching sun knows that shade is not just a luxury, but a prerequisite for participation, health and quality of life. Digital tools help to answer these questions in a data-based and comprehensible way – and open up new paths for creative, resilient and socially just urban design.
Finally, digital shadow planners are also relevant from an urban governance perspective. They enable transparentTransparent: Transparent bezeichnet den Zustand von Materialien, die durchsichtig sind und das Durchdringen von Licht zulassen. Glas ist ein typisches Beispiel für transparente Materialien. and participatory decision-making processes: Citizens can directly understand the effects of different market designs, administration and politics receive a reliable basis for decision-making, and event organizers can make optimal use of their spaces. Digitalization thus becomes a driver for smart, climate-resilient and liveable cities – provided it is used responsibly and openly.
How digital shadow planners work in practice: from simulation to temporary urban laboratory
In practice, the use of digital shadow planners usually begins with an inventory: the planning area – for example a market square, a festival area or a temporarily redesigned parking lot – is precisely measured and digitized as a 3D model. Modern drone surveying, laser scanning and open geodata portals provide the basis for this. In addition, existing trees, lanterns, facades and possible temporary installations such as stages or market stalls are digitally recorded and parameterized. The decisive factor here is that not only the static geometry, but also dynamic elements – such as mobile awnings, pavilions or inflatable umbrellas – are created flexibly so that different scenarios can be played out.
As soon as the model is ready, the real magic comes into play: the software imports current weather and solar data, calculates the position of the sun and shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. for any time of day and year and visualizes the resulting shaded areas in real time. In the application, planners or event organizers can move stands, place new shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. elements or virtually “plant” trees with just a few clicks – and immediately see how the shade situation changes. Complex questions can also be simulated, such as: Which areas remain below 30 degrees even on the hottest summer day? Where do dangerous heat spots occur? How does a sudden change in the weather affect the quality of life and escape routes?
A concrete example is provided by the City of Vienna, which has been using digital shade planning tools for temporary markets at the Naschmarkt since 2022. Various stand arrangements, temporary shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. systems and greenery are being tested here to ensure attractive, safe and healthy market areas even when the heat rises. The planning processes were set up on an interdisciplinary basis: Urban climatologists, landscape architects, event organizers and IT specialists worked hand in hand. The result: data-based decisions that are comprehensible and flexibly adaptable – and noticeably improve the quality of life.
In Germany, too, cities such as Munich, Hamburg and Freiburg are increasingly relying on digital shadow planning for temporary events. Particularly exciting are collaborations with technology companies that feed real-time data from mobile sensors – such as surface temperature, airAIR: AIR steht für "Architectural Intermediate Representation" und beschreibt eine digitale Zwischenrepräsentation von Architekturplänen. Es handelt sich dabei um einen Standard, der es verschiedenen Software-Tools ermöglicht, auf eine einheitliche Art auf denselben Datenbestand zuzugreifen und ihn zu bearbeiten. quality or visitor numbers – directly into the simulation. Planning thus becomes an ongoing experiment: data is collected during the event, which in turn flows into the optimization of future events. The temporary market becomes an urban laboratory for climate change adaptation and innovative event design.
But the tools are not only interesting for large cities. Digital shade planners can also make a real difference in smaller communities, for example at the annual town festival or the weekly market in the countryside. A simple 3D model, supplemented by local weather data, is often enough to identify the basic shade problems and develop pragmatic solutions. It is crucial that the tools are intuitive to use and promote dialogue between planners, event organizers and citizens – because the best simulation is worthless if it is not put into practice.
Another important aspect is integration into existing planning and approval processes. Today, digital shadow planners can be integrated into many common GIS systems and city model platforms so that they work seamlessly with other tools for mobility planning, safety or infrastructure management. This creates a holistic view of temporary markets and events – and the opportunity to establish shadow planning as an integral part of urban transformation.
Climate adaptation, health protection and social justice: why digital shadow planning is more than just a technical gimmick
The importance of digital shade planners is by no means limited to the optimization of market stalls or the aesthetic shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. of event spaces. Rather, they are at the heart of the major challenges of modern urban development: climate adaptation, health protection and social participation. In times of increasing heat waves, urban heat islands and parched squares, the question of sufficient shade is becoming a matter of survival for the quality of life in the city – and therefore a core task for planners, architects, event organizers and administrations alike.
Temporary markets and events are particularly affected by this. They often take place on sealed surfaces that become veritable heat traps in midsummer. Visitors and stand operators are at the mercy of the weather, and health risks such as heat stroke, circulatory problems or sunburn increase – especially for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens or people with pre-existing conditions. Digital shade planners offer more than just convenience here: they make it possible to identify these risks precisely and minimize them in a targeted manner. Where traditional experience and gut feeling reachREACh: REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) ist eine Verordnung der Europäischen Union zur Registrierung, Bewertung und Zulassung von chemischen Stoffen. Ziel ist es, Gesundheit und Umwelt vor schädlichen Auswirkungen von Chemikalien zu schützen. their limits, data-driven simulations provide reliable information on temperature curves, UV exposure and quality of stay.
Another aspect that is often underestimated is social justice. Not all visitors to a market or event have the same opportunities to protect themselves from the heat. Those who can secure the expensive spot under the only tree are lucky – everyone else has to sweat. Digital shade planning makes these distribution issues visible and opens up new ways of distributing shaded areas fairly. For example, locations for seating, play areas or restaurants can be placed specifically where the shade is best – or mobile shade providers can be positioned in such a way that they benefit as many people as possible.
Digital shade planners also offer advantages for event organizers and operators. They can increase the efficiency of their space utilization, increase the length of stay of visitors and minimize the risk of accidents. At the same time, they facilitate communication with authorities, for example in the context of approval procedures or safety concepts. Last but not least, they improve the public image of markets and events, as a climate-friendly, attractive and healthy offering has long been a competitive factor – especially in times when the focus is increasingly on sustainability and quality of stay.
However, the same applies here: Technology is not an end in itself. Only when digital shadow planners are used in an open, transparentTransparent: Transparent bezeichnet den Zustand von Materialien, die durchsichtig sind und das Durchdringen von Licht zulassen. Glas ist ein typisches Beispiel für transparente Materialien. and participatory manner can they develop their full potential. The involvement of citizens, local initiatives and experts is crucial in order to create acceptance and find the best solutions. At the same time, data protection, data sovereignty and technological independence must be guaranteed – because nobody wants control of the shadow in the marketplace to suddenly lie with a US cloud provider.
Ultimately, digital shadow planners are also turning the traditional understanding of planning on its head. Planning is no longer seen as a one-off, completed service, but as an ongoing, dynamic process – a constant process of testing, adapting and improving. The city becomes a field for experimentation, markets and events become temporary laboratories for the city of tomorrow. Those who embrace this not only gain flexibility, but also resilience and innovative strength.
Challenges, governance and outlook: From temporary intervention to permanent change
As convincing as the advantages of digital shadow planners are, their use is not a sure-fire success. Technical, legal and organizational hurdles still stand in the way of widespread use. Many local authorities do not have the necessary 3D models or geodata, integration into existing IT infrastructures is complex and there is often a lack of expertise and resources for data-supported shadow planning. Added to this are questions of data sovereignty, data protection and governance: who operates and maintains the models? Who decides on their use? And how can open standards and interoperability be guaranteed?
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland in particular, the municipal landscape is highly fragmented. While some cities and municipalities are pioneers and use innovative tools, others are hesitant for fear of technical overload or loss of control. In addition, there is uncertainty about the legal framework, for example with regard to the public accessibility of simulations or liability in the event of incorrect forecasts. Who is allowed to access the models? How are citizens involved in the planning process? And how can commercial interests be reconciled with the common good?
Another risk is the potential commercialization and technologization of urban planning. If digital shadow planners are developed and operated exclusively by large software providers, there is a risk of dependency that could restrict cities’ freedom of design in the long term. Algorithmic distortions and technocratic bias are also real dangers: If simulation models are based on incomplete data or one-sided assumptions, certain groups will be disadvantaged – for example, if shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. measures are prioritized where most paying visitors are expected, but not where particularly vulnerable groups need protection.
To overcome these challenges, new governance is needed for digital planning tools. Open standards, transparentTransparent: Transparent bezeichnet den Zustand von Materialien, die durchsichtig sind und das Durchdringen von Licht zulassen. Glas ist ein typisches Beispiel für transparente Materialien. algorithms and participatory processes are just as important as safeguarding data sovereignty at municipal level. Successful examples, for example from Vienna or Zurich, show that it is possible to design digital shadow planning as a joint project between the city, event organizers, citizens and technology partners – and to move from temporary intervention to permanent change in urban spaces.
The future of digital shadow planning lies in the combination of temporary and permanent measures. What is tested at the pop-up market or the summer festival can provide impetus for the long-term design of squares, streets and parks. The findings from simulation and practice flow back into urban development, new shadingShading beschreibt ein Phänomen bei Teppichböden, bei dem sich bestimmte Stellen des Belags durch Licht- und Schattenwirkungen unterschiedlich dunkel darstellen. Es handelt sich dabei um eine optische Täuschung, die durch die Struktur des Teppichbodens verstärkt wird. strategies, greening or structural adaptations are implemented permanently. In this way, digital innovation results in sustainable, climate-resilient and socially just urban redevelopment – from temporary intervention to permanent progress.
The end result is the realization that digital shadow planners are far more than just a technical add-on for summer markets. They are the driving force and catalyst for new, data-based and participatory urban planning that sees temporary events not as an exception, but as a field of experimentation for the city of tomorrow. Investing now lays the foundation for liveable, climate-resilient and fair cities – in which shade is not a coincidence, but the result of intelligent planning.
Conclusion: Digital shadow planners as the key to urban resilience and smart urban design
Digital shadow planners are revolutionizing the planning of temporary markets and events in German, Austrian and Swiss cities. They enable data-based, flexible and participatory design of quality of stay, climate protection and social justice – and turn temporary interventions into real innovation laboratories for urban change. The technology is now mature, the application examples convincing, the challenges solvable – provided that municipalities, planners and event organizers take the path together, rely on open standards and see digital tools as an opportunity for transparency, participation and sustainable urban development. Those who take bold steps now will not only make the city shadier, but also smarter and fairer. In this way, the digital simulation becomes a living reality – and the temporary event space becomes a model for the resilient city of tomorrow.