Ancient climate wisdom for modern cities: climate-resilient design for active living

Source abstract

Modern urban planning often overlooks low-cost, time-tested design solutions that address both climate change and sedentary lifestyles. This commentary identifies that gap and argues for integrating ancient climate wisdom – traditional and indigenous architectural and landscape knowledge – into contemporary city design. We highlight specific strategies, such as vernacular shade structures, green infrastructure modeled on local ecosystems, and passive cooling techniques, that have kept communities comfortable and active for generations. We also propose design principles for human-scaled, walkable neighborhoods (e.g. narrow, shaded streets and mixed land use) that encourage walking and cycling even as temperatures rise. Historical case studies of climate-adaptive settlements and empirical evidence from modern studies on urban heat and physical activity support these ideas. By bridging climate wisdom with modern science, cities – especially in low- and middle-income countries – can become more resilient, low-carbon, and conducive to daily physical activity. This approach can simultaneously promote public health (through active living) and climate adaptation, illustrating the co-benefits of learning from the past to inform healthier, more sustainable urban futures