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You can find the transcript through this link.

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Are you interested in what we can learn from the Middle East regarding urban cooling?

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Our debate today works with the article titled A systematic review of passive cooling strategies integrating traditional wisdom and modern innovations for sustainable development in arid urban environments from 2026, by Shiva Manshour and Steffen Lehmann, published in the Discover Cities journal.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Shawn Meyers in episode 468 talking about the Middle East as a testing ground to find climate-resilient solutions.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how we can utilise passive cooling strategies to enhance urban thermal comfort. This article provides a practical roadmap for architects and policymakers to reduce energy dependency and mitigate rising temperature through climate-adaptive urban planning.

Find the article through this link.

Abstract: Urban environments in hot-arid regions are increasingly challenged by rising temperatures, rapid urban expansion, and the heavy reliance on energy-intensive mechanical cooling systems. This study presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2025 to assess both traditional and contemporary passive cooling strategies tailored for arid urban settings. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 30 high-quality studies were selected from leading databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The selected works span diverse geographical contexts, from the Middle East and North Africa to parts of South Asia, and apply a range of methods including field experiments, computer-based simulations, and qualitative analyses. Findings highlight strong consensus around core passive principles such as solar control, natural ventilation, and the use of thermal mass. Vernacular solutions like courtyards, wind towers, and thick masonry walls remain effective, while innovations such as cool roofs, phase change materials, and parametric optimization techniques expand the design toolkit. Nevertheless, the implementation of these strategies is often limited by climate variability, cultural shifts, regulatory frameworks, and economic feasibility. The review concludes that context-sensitive, hybrid solutions, combining traditional knowledge with modern technology, hold the greatest potential for achieving sustainable thermal comfort. To be effective, these approaches must be supported by climate-adaptive urban planning, user-centered design, and updated building regulations. The study offers practical insights for architects, planners, and policymakers aiming to create resilient, low-carbon cities that harmonize cultural identity with environmental responsibility.

Connected episodes you might be interested in:

• No.104R – The story of NEOM city: opportunities and challenges
• No.105 – Interview with Richard Morrison about project NEOM
• No.444 – Interview with Markus Appenzeller about the opportunities in the Middle East

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