A Systematic Review of Passive Cooling Strategies Integrating Traditional Wisdom and Modern Innovations for Sustainable Development in Arid Urban Environments
Shiva Manshour, Steffen Lehmann

TL;DR
This systematic review evaluates traditional and modern passive cooling strategies in arid urban environments, emphasizing hybrid solutions for sustainable, culturally sensitive, and energy-efficient urban design.
Contribution
It provides a comprehensive synthesis of passive cooling methods, highlighting the integration of traditional wisdom with modern innovations for arid city sustainability.
Findings
Passive principles like solar control and natural ventilation are effective.
Vernacular solutions such as courtyards and wind towers remain relevant.
Innovations like cool roofs and phase change materials expand cooling options.
Abstract
Urban environments in hot-arid regions are increasingly challenged by rising temperatures, rapid urban expansion, and reliance on energy intensive mechanical cooling systems. This study presents a systematic review of peer reviewed literature from 1980 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 databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. These works span diverse geographical contexts from the Middle East and North Africa to parts of South Asia, and apply methods including field experiments, computer-based simulations, and qualitative analyses. Findings highlight strong consensus around passive principles such as solar control, natural ventilation, and the use of thermal mass. Vernacular solutions like…
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