The LA Basin, OC, and San Diego? No. Their temperatures are kept much more sane by the ocean, and agriculture is the real problem for the water budget.
Not really Homo Sapians originated in the hot environs of Sub-Saharan Africa. Most early civilizations were in deserts, like Mesopotamia and Egypt. Their have been cities in deserts longer then there have been temperate climate cities. Humans are built for hot climates we just don't like them.
This[0] suggests that the Sahara wasn't desert when ancient Egypt got started, though it depends on your definitions of those words I guess.
A timeline of Sahara occupation
22,000 to 10,500 years ago: The Sahara was devoid of any human occupation outside the Nile Valley and extended 250 miles further south than it does today.
10,500 to 9,000 years ago: Monsoon rains begin sweeping into the Sahara, transforming the region into a habitable area swiftly settled by Nile Valley dwellers.
9,000 to 7,300 years ago: Continued rains, vegetation growth, and animal migrations lead to well established human settlements, including the introduction of domesticated livestock such as sheep and goats.
7,300 to 5,500 years ago: Retreating monsoonal rains initiate desiccation in the Egyptian Sahara, prompting humans to move to remaining habitable niches in Sudanese Sahara. The end of the rains and return of desert conditions throughout the Sahara after 5,500 coincides with population return to the Nile Valley and the beginning of pharaonic society.
afaik Phoenix as a massive city wouldn't exist without the air conditioning. There's "humans can tolerate high heat" and then there's "so hot that we need technology to make it liveable."
People have lived in the artic at -50, and in the desert since recorded history. Lifestyles, and buildings were different, that's all. No need for modern tech.
Building cities of several million people in regions with no water? Growing cotton, cattle, and world renowned golf courses? Yeah, that’s pretty obviously broken.
I grew up in Arizona. You regularly hear people saying, “well, there’s no water left to build but hey, people keep buying so we’ll keep building!”
Cheap land and subsidized water paid to give to a bunch of ranchers who despise socialism. “Broken” is being generous.
