Iranian Wind Towers Inspire Italian Designer to Develop Solutions for Hot Cities

An Italian designer is developing a concept for mobile wind towers, drawing inspiration from the age-old Iranian windcatchers known as Badgir. The project aims to reduce urban heat by directing natural air currents into streets and public areas suffering from rising temperatures.

According to the German publication Focus Online, Danilo Petta, a designer from Olbia on the island of Sardinia in Italy, is working on a project designed to channel sea breezes and local winds into particularly hot areas during the summer months.

The design is based on traditional Persian wind towers, which have been used in Iran for centuries to cool buildings without electricity. These architectural structures capture and redirect natural air flows, improving comfort inside premises, especially in cities like Yazd, Kermanshah, and Kashan.

According to Petta, 'cooling cities is an important issue. Planting more trees is not enough.' He argues that when designing public spaces, urban planners should consider not only creating shade but also effectively directing airflow.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the international architectural firm Mask Architects and the engineering company AQH Italy. The proposed towers are designed to capture prevailing winds and sea breezes, directing them into zones with high thermal impact.

Initial estimates indicate that the system can lower the ambient air temperature locally by 1–2 degrees Celsius, and the perceived temperature by up to 5 degrees. The goal is to create more comfortable outdoor conditions and encourage greater use of public spaces during periods of intense heat.

Petta also emphasized the need to revise urban infrastructure, such as bus stops, noting that materials like Plexiglas can intensify heating, creating a greenhouse effect. He suggested using alternatives made from recycled and cooler materials.

In addition to wind towers, experts point to other climate adaptation measures, including green facades and the 'sponge city' approach. Green walls can provide shade, help cool buildings, and contribute to improving urban air quality, while 'sponge city' concepts utilize green areas, water catchment areas, and water management systems to mitigate flooding and conserve water during heatwaves and droughts.

The renewed interest in wind towers demonstrates how traditional architectural knowledge, including Iran's local cooling technologies, continues to inspire modern solutions to global problems such as climate change and rising urban temperatures.