Relationship between Visual and Thermal Comfort and Electrodermal Activity in Campus Blue–Green Spaces: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China

Xuefei Wang, Zhiqi Chen, Dawei Ma, Tingting Zhou, Jintang Chen () and Xing Jiang ()
Additional contact information
Xuefei Wang: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zhiqi Chen: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Dawei Ma: School of Management, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Tingting Zhou: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jintang Chen: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Xing Jiang: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: The rapid speed of urbanization in modern cities has led to various environmental challenges impacting human activities, livelihoods, and comfort. One of these effects is the urban heat island, which describes the increase in temperature in an urban area resulting from the replacement of natural surfaces with concrete, buildings, and other structures that absorb and retain heat. Variations in individual perception and adaptative ability present additional challenges when trying to ensure outdoor comfort and require advanced measuring instruments and simulation tools to accurately predict a broad range of related variables. In this study, we investigated three different types of blue–green spaces (six in total) on the campus of Guangzhou University, focusing on their distinct layouts. The aim was to evaluate these spaces’ microclimate and sunlight intensity conditions by quantifying several environmental factors. Subjective comfort assessments and objective physiological parameter measurements were conducted using questionnaires and biosensors, respectively. The results revealed the following: (1) Different types of blue–green spaces exhibit distinct microclimate and visual environment characteristics, and while similar patterns emerged, certain environmental parameters revealed important differences. (2) There is a significant association between individuals’ thermal and visual comfort in blue–green spaces and multiple environmental factors. (3) Linear regression analysis demonstrated the strong predictive capabilities of skin conductance indicators (Rsc, SCR, and nSCR) in assessing individuals’ outdoor visual–thermal comfort levels, with R2 exceeding 0.5, indicating high accuracy. These findings provide valuable insights and references for urban planners and designers seeking to enhance the visual and thermal aspects of sustainable landscapes on campuses as well as in other outdoor environments.

Keywords: thermal comfort; visual comfort; campus blue–green space; microclimate; sunlight intensity; electrodermal activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11742/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11742/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11742-:d:1206468

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().