Underground Cooling Systems: 8 Cities Using Ancient Techniques to Fight Modern Heat
Cities around the globe face the growing challenges of elevated temperatures and an increase in heat waves; more are now looking to their histories for the types of cooling technologies and systems developed centuries earlier. Many civilizations developed their own solutions to keep homes, marketplaces and public spaces cool long before the invention of air-conditioning. Many cities today are reproducing or adapting previous methods of cooling in their fight against modern-day heat.
1. Yazd
With its characteristic wind towers and underground aqueducts (qanats), Yazd has provided passive cooling for more than 1000 years.
2. Isfahan
The thick walls, underground rooms and water features within traditional Persian architecture provide for passive cooling of indoor temperatures.
3. Jaipur
Historical structures in Jaipur are designed with courtyards, passages that are shaded and cool underground passageways to remain cool during extremely hot summers.
4. Jaisalmer
The heavy use of stone for many traditional homes in the desert and the use of underground storage for items provide for passive cooling of indoor temperatures.
5. Muscat
Ancient irrigation systems (falaj) and tunnels create shade much like air-conditioning does, allowing people to survive in the desert climate.
6. Marrakesh
The use of thick walls, interior courtyards and cool underground spaces in traditional riads has led to a lower reliance on mechanical cooling systems.
7. Seville
In an effort to reduce heat on urban areas, the city is experimenting with a modern interpretation of the concept of passive cooling, including underground thermal storage, shaded design.
8. Athens
With the rise in temperatures associated with heatwaves, planners and architects are looking at ancient Mediterranean architecture techniques that incorporate the use of underground.
Final Words
The many thousands of years of experience with man-made cooling systems (the ancient qanats of Yazd; the subways and tunnels of Rajasthan, as well as several ancient Mediterranean cities) emphasize that traditional (ancient) environmental design can help alter heat-stress areas (provide climate comfort) and greatly reduce the energy used for cooling. Global climate changes are causing many urban areas to look back in time at ancient resources for developing sustainable resources for restoring environmental quality.
FAQs
What is an underground cooling system?
An underground cooling system will use the relatively cool soil temperature to moderate the temperature of a building’s interior.
Are there any ancient cooling systems still in use today?
Ancient cooling systems have been used for centuries and many are still operational and serve as design inspirations for some of today’s modern structures.
Will underground spaces keep an indoor space cooler than above ground?
Yes, underground spaces will typically have a much more stable temperature than the outside ambient temperature because of the insulation effect of the earth.
Will underground cooling methods be able to replace an air conditioning system?
Even though underground cooling systems will reduce your cooling costs, it may not be possible to completely eliminate the need for an air conditioning unit (depending on the climate in your area).
