Comparisons of respondent thermal perceptions in underneath-elevated-building (UEB) areas and direct-radiated (DR) areas

Abstract

Outdoor activities are believed to provide citizens with various benefits, including stress reduction, livability improvement and energy conservation. Encouraging outdoor activity becomes an effective way to evocate positive emotions. Thus, numerous studies were established to enhance respondent outdoor thermal comfort by investigating landscape design and building morphology. Yet, studies on the outdoor microclimate and thermal comfort in the underneath-elevated-building (UEB) area were scarce. In this study, on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted from March to December in 2016. Comparisons of meteorological parameters and respondent thermal perceptions between the underneath-elevated-building area and the direct-radiated (DR) area were presented. Results indicated that occupants were more comfortable in UEB area. It appeared that solar radiation and wind speed were two major issues affecting respondent outdoor thermal comfort and highly relative to occupants' thermal sensation, which can be helpful references for urban planners to optimize outdoor microclimates by altering building designs.