Are Historical Buildings More Adaptive to Minimize the Risks of Airborne Transmission of Viruses and Public Health? A Study of the Hazzazi House in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Historical buildings, such as the Hazzazi House in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, demonstrate significant potential to mitigate airborne virus transmission through natural ventilation. A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that effective air ventilation in heritage structures can substantially reduce the risks of spreading infectious viruses like COVID-19. The research integrated data on wind speed, direction, inflow/outflow, and natural ventilation to model disease transmission risks, revealing that well-designed historic buildings inherently offer advantages for public health during pandemics. This insight underscores the importance of preserving traditional architectural features, particularly those facilitating airflow, as a strategy to combat infectious diseases in urban environments.

Alaidroos, A., Almaimani, A., Baik, A., Al-Amodi, M., & Rahaman, K. R. (2021). Are Historical Buildings More Adaptive to Minimize the Risks of Airborne Transmission of Viruses and Public Health? A Study of the Hazzazi House in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3601. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073601