Correlational study on thermal comfort and outdoor activities

Abstract

This research has investigated several correlation patterns between spatial behaviour and outdoor thermal comfort for urban spaces. An eight-hour field work of behavioural snapshots has been carried out at Market square, Cambridge, on a sunny day of May. The universal thermal climatic index (UTCI) was acquired from microclimate simulation in ladybug. The thermal-comfort zones were coupled with four featured behaviours: sitting, standing, strolling and walking. The results have shown a tendency toward occupying shady spaces in general. The canvas awnings have proved the correlation between comfort and behaviour. More interestingly, less comfortable areas appear to be acceptable for more than half of the observed groups with a 4°C increase in UTCI.