outdoor thermal comfort

The relationship between urban growth and the formation of urban heat islands, i.e. climatic differences between the urban area and adjacent rural areas, is discussed by several authors and is assumed to be ubiquitous for various climatic regions. Curitiba (25.5ºS), located within a region of subtropical climate in elevation, boasts a population growth rate of approximately 2% a year. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the urban agglomeration on microclimate changes.

In order to clarify the outdoor thermal comfort and clothing, the thermal measurements (air temperature) and thermal comfort survey were conducted in Hachiko Square which is located in the Shibuya station, Tokyo. (Hachiko is a famous statue of a dog which is a popular meeting place.) The survey was conducted every two weeks and the number of people investigated was 224.  The results showed that the average clothing insulation of the females is greater than that of the men. The clothing insulation is highly correlated with the outdoor air temperature.

The treatment of roof space with cool paint or vegetation is a widely employed urban heat mitigation strategy. As the allocation of roof space for social activity becomes more prevalent in the urban environment, there is a need to understand how cool roofs and green roofs can affect the outdoor thermal comfort of its users.