Analyses have been done on different techniques of passive solar control using local climatic data (for 25-year period) to obtain physical building design. Our main aim is to provide general and appropriate information at strategic pre-design stages to make better use of passive solar energy urban planning and building design for better indoor 'comfort' climate. It utilizes manual analysis techniques or Mahoney tables and ACHIPAK to develop 'comfort zones'. and 'control potential zones', for the Capital City of Nicosia (Cyprus). The use of the control potential zones (CPZs) in predesign of buildings and their objectives are discussed. Opportunities and limitations of the pre-design guidelines are also discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.