Modern buildings rely heavily on air conditioning, but blackouts during heatwaves reveal the importance of passive cooling methods. 

Ancient builders developed effective strategies without electricity, such as thick walls, shaded layouts, and wind-catching structures. 

In Iraq, mud-brick homes with small windows and shaded streets minimised heat. Egyptians used wind catchers and rooftop sleeping, while Puebloans designed cliff-side adobe dwellings to manage sun exposure. Historical rainwater systems, like those in Mayan and Muslim societies, cooled courtyards and irrigated gardens. 

Modern architects advocate integrating these time-tested methods, including water harvesting and passive cooling, to reduce energy dependence and enhance resilience in hotter, blackout-prone cities.