Comparison of the Thermal Environment by Local Climate Zones in Summer: A Case Study in Suwon, Republic of Korea

Abstract

The thermal environments of five local climate zones (LCZs) in summer were investigated using all measured microclimatic data collected from 9:00 on 3 August until 15:30 on 4 August, 2017. The physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI) of the human thermal environment were highest in LCZ EB (paved with scattered trees) and lowest in LCZ 2B (compact mid-rise with scattered trees) and LCZ 4 (open high-rise) during the daytime, and highest in LCZ 4 and lowest in LCZ D (low plants) during the nighttime. LCZ D and LCZ EB in the park and LCZ 5 (open mid-rise) revealed similar thermal environments, and LCZ 2B and LCZ 4 showed higher PET and UTCI values for the thermal environment. The maximum mean difference by location was 6.7 °C for PET and 3.7 °C for UTCI during the daytime, a one-level difference in PET and a two-thirds level in UTCI. During the nighttime, the maximum mean difference was 2.3 °C for PET and 1.9 °C for UTCI, a one-third-level difference. Compared to LCZ 2B, the PET showed a maximum difference of 11 °C and UTCI of 6 °C, showing a difference of two levels for PET and one level for UTCI.