Comparative Investigation of Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Different Local Climate Zones (LCZ): The Case of Konya

Abstract

Outdoor thermal comfort is the condition where individuals feel neither too hot nor too cold according to environmental conditions. This comfort is critical for people to be able to continue their physical activities and social interactions in open spaces. Research shows that increasing green spaces, tree cover and urban morphology can increase thermal comfort by lowering temperatures. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of outdoor thermal comfort in 6 different local climate zones (LCZ) in Konya city, which has a BSk (cold-semi-arid) climate, in summer and winter. In order to determine the thermal comfort in the outdoor environment, PET (Physiological equivalent temperature) index was found by using ENVI-met software. Summer and winter season data were used for the analyzes. As a result of the study, it was determined which local climate zones are thermally comfortable for summer and winter seasons for cities with BSk climate.