Daneshpajoohan Pishro Higher Education Institute Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 27170128 7 23 2026 07 23 A Modern Classification of Passive Fresh Air Flow-Generating Strategies in Breathable Architecture with Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Four Climates of Iran A Modern Classification of Passive Fresh Air Flow-Generating Strategies in Breathable Architecture with Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Four Climates of Iran 69 89 738999 10.22034/usd.2026.2089672.1415 FA Fatemeh Firouzmandi Bandpey Master’s Student in Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran. 0009-0002-6359-6131 Mostafa Gholipour Geshniani Assistant Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran. Journal Article 2026 05 25 With increasing attention to indoor air quality and reduced dependence on mechanical systems, the need to redefine passive solutions for fresh air flow in sustainable architecture has become more apparent than ever. A review of the research background shows that despite the introduction of numerous solutions, the lack of a comprehensive physical classification and the lack of accurate evaluation of the performance of these solutions in different climates of Iran is still a serious scientific and practical gap. The aim of this research is to present a new classification based on physical-functional logic and prioritization of passive solutions in the four main climates of Iran. The present research was conducted with an applied and mixed approach. First, by systematically reviewing the sources, 17 solutions were classified into four categories: ceiling-oriented, wall-oriented, intermediate spaces, and floor-oriented. Then, with the participation of 63 experts, 8 evaluation criteria were extracted and weighted using the Shannon entropy method. Subsequently, the solutions were ranked in the four climates of Iran using the TOPSIS method and synergy patterns were also examined. The results showed that “ventilation efficiency” and “indoor air quality” were the most important decision-making criteria. Also, the performance of the solutions was significantly dependent on the climate; such that openings and interior layout were most effective in temperate and humid and hot and humid climates, windbreaks and central courtyards in hot and dry climates, and windows, Trumpet walls, and solar chimneys in cold and mountainous climates. The findings indicate that effective passive ventilation is not the result of selecting a single element, but rather a smart combination of elements and careful adaptation to the climatic context. With increasing attention to indoor air quality and reduced dependence on mechanical systems, the need to redefine passive solutions for fresh air flow in sustainable architecture has become more apparent than ever. A review of the research background shows that despite the introduction of numerous solutions, the lack of a comprehensive physical classification and the lack of accurate evaluation of the performance of these solutions in different climates of Iran is still a serious scientific and practical gap. The aim of this research is to present a new classification based on physical-functional logic and prioritization of passive solutions in the four main climates of Iran. The present research was conducted with an applied and mixed approach. First, by systematically reviewing the sources, 17 solutions were classified into four categories: ceiling-oriented, wall-oriented, intermediate spaces, and floor-oriented. Then, with the participation of 63 experts, 8 evaluation criteria were extracted and weighted using the Shannon entropy method. Subsequently, the solutions were ranked in the four climates of Iran using the TOPSIS method and synergy patterns were also examined. The results showed that “ventilation efficiency” and “indoor air quality” were the most important decision-making criteria. Also, the performance of the solutions was significantly dependent on the climate; such that openings and interior layout were most effective in temperate and humid and hot and humid climates, windbreaks and central courtyards in hot and dry climates, and windows, Trumpet walls, and solar chimneys in cold and mountainous climates. The findings indicate that effective passive ventilation is not the result of selecting a single element, but rather a smart combination of elements and careful adaptation to the climatic context. https://usdjournal.daneshpajoohan.ac.ir/article_738999_9c1bc19429fc49b414a0db9738260517.pdf