Abstract

This paper is focused on developing a set of guidelines with regard to the major climatic regions and climatic cities form, useful for urban planners and designers as well as for managerial, policymaking and financial purpose. It could inform the owners of businesses and actors on what to anticipate from city planning and design and to encourage a low-carbon growth for urban areas. The research synopsizes the results of an extensive study on climate-conscious urban elements and principles for different climates, and the goal is to decrease greenhouse gases for developing and transition economies as well as developed countries. Suggestions are presented on the four habitable climatic zones, but in this paper, only the results of arid climate is presented as an example. They are the essence of investigation of many cases studies, and the results are for comparison and quick references and to be applied on cities to obtain a sustainable urban form. The study of the relationship between climate and urban morphology of human settlements in the past is relatively a new field, and many lessons could be learned from ancient to recent cities. The main issue such as spatial configuration and morphological elements that may have an effect on climate change is discussed. The three criteria that will define the entity of an urban centre are history, culture and climate. These criteria have been considered in the study in order to include fairly representative examples of urban design, in other words, to have a homogeneous and balanced distribution of the selected settlements. Such a method will help in achieving comprehensive results and in making recommendations. The main purpose is to observe the influence of climate on the urban form, which would be useful to apply for contemporary city form. Climate-conscious urban design is an effective and a straightforward way to fight against climate change. It is important to emphasize that indigenous styles are defined less by national frontiers and more by environmental considerations. Climate has played a significant role in determining the overall urban and architectural form and fabric of future sustainable urban areas and liveable living style.