Cooler Desert Cities - 2503

A comparative analysis of Shibam, a historic Yemeni city, and modern desert urban designs in Masdar (UAE) and Dubai reveals key design principles that enhance thermal comfort with minimal energy use. The study leverages computational modeling to identify 'cooler-shaping' strategies—such as narrow alleys, high-density construction, and wind-capturing architecture—that mitigate heat stress in arid climates. These findings lay the groundwork for a future toolkit (Cooler-Shaper Tool) aimed at replicating such low-emission urban comfort in contemporary desert cities. The research builds on prior work by integrating Shibam’s unique medieval layout with modern sustainable design approaches, offering actionable insights for UNESCO-listed sites and climate-resilient urban planning.

Giurgiu, I. C., & OTTMANN, D. A. N. I. E. L. A. A. (2025). Cooler Desert Cities - 2503. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.18453007