Outdoor Thermal Comfort at a University Campus: Studies from Personal and Long-Term Thermal History Perspectives

Jiao Xue, Xiao Hu, Shu Nuke Sani, Yuanyuan Wu, Xinyu Li, Liang Chai and Dayi Lai
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Jiao Xue: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Xiao Hu: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Shu Nuke Sani: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Yuanyuan Wu: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Xinyu Li: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Liang Chai: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Dayi Lai: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: Thermally comfortable outdoor spaces have contributed to high-quality urban living. In order to provide a further understanding of the influences of gender and long-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort, this study conducted field surveys at a university campus in Shanghai, China by carrying out microclimatic monitoring and subjective questionnaires from May to October, 2019. The analysis of collected data found that, during our survey, 57% of the occupants felt comfortable overall and 40–60% of them perceived the microclimate variables (air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed) as “neutral”. The universal thermal climate index (UTCI) provided a better correlation with occupant thermal sensation than the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). Females were more sensitive to the outdoor thermal environment than males. Older age led to lower thermal sensation, but the thermal sensitivities for age groups of <20, 20–50, and >50 were similar. Occupants who had resided in Shanghai for a longer period showed higher overall comfort rating and lower thermal sensation. Interviewees who came from hot summer and cold winter climate regions were less effected by the change of UTCI than those from severe cold or cold climate regions.

Keywords: outdoor thermal comfort; field survey; urban open spaces; microclimate; personal factors; long-term thermal history; Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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