Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective

Abstract The thermal comfort of outdoor spaces in colleges and universities is crucial for promoting outdoor activities and relieving psychological pressure. To evaluate outdoor thermal comfort from a new perspective, this study investigated subjects' sunlight perception through physical measur...

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Main Authors: Shaobo Ning, Wenqiang Jing, Zhemin Ge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-09-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43077-y
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author Shaobo Ning
Wenqiang Jing
Zhemin Ge
author_facet Shaobo Ning
Wenqiang Jing
Zhemin Ge
author_sort Shaobo Ning
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The thermal comfort of outdoor spaces in colleges and universities is crucial for promoting outdoor activities and relieving psychological pressure. To evaluate outdoor thermal comfort from a new perspective, this study investigated subjects' sunlight perception through physical measurements and questionnaires. Sunlight perception was delineated through a combination of subjective assessments and objective measurements. Subjective assessments encapsulated thermal comfort and sensation votes, and sunlight sensitivity. Objective measurements incorporated physical environmental data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, illumination, and solar radiation. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used to examine the thermal sensation of subjects under different sun perceptions to reveal the effect of sunshine sensitivity on subjects. The results showed that in terms of subjective perception, the proportion of people who felt hot outdoors increased with the increase in sunlight perception. Additionally, with the change of sunlight perception, the expected temperature of the crowd also changed. As the sunlight perception changed from weak to strong, the desired temperature of the winter population changed from 21.2 °C to 17.7 °C, and the desired temperature of the autumn population changed from 23.8 °C to 19.8 °C. Appropriately increasing shade outdoors in autumn would enhance the comfort of the crowd, while appropriately increasing the light place in the winter outdoors would enhance the comfort of the crowd. These findings provide valuable insights for thermal comfort design and future research in colleges located in cold areas.
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spelling doaj.art-dffdebadc68346c59fbaf7e52b53ba372023-11-19T13:04:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-09-0113111310.1038/s41598-023-43077-ySunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspectiveShaobo Ning0Wenqiang Jing1Zhemin Ge2Department of Architecture, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversitySchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Eurasia UniversityDepartment of Architecture, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityAbstract The thermal comfort of outdoor spaces in colleges and universities is crucial for promoting outdoor activities and relieving psychological pressure. To evaluate outdoor thermal comfort from a new perspective, this study investigated subjects' sunlight perception through physical measurements and questionnaires. Sunlight perception was delineated through a combination of subjective assessments and objective measurements. Subjective assessments encapsulated thermal comfort and sensation votes, and sunlight sensitivity. Objective measurements incorporated physical environmental data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, illumination, and solar radiation. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used to examine the thermal sensation of subjects under different sun perceptions to reveal the effect of sunshine sensitivity on subjects. The results showed that in terms of subjective perception, the proportion of people who felt hot outdoors increased with the increase in sunlight perception. Additionally, with the change of sunlight perception, the expected temperature of the crowd also changed. As the sunlight perception changed from weak to strong, the desired temperature of the winter population changed from 21.2 °C to 17.7 °C, and the desired temperature of the autumn population changed from 23.8 °C to 19.8 °C. Appropriately increasing shade outdoors in autumn would enhance the comfort of the crowd, while appropriately increasing the light place in the winter outdoors would enhance the comfort of the crowd. These findings provide valuable insights for thermal comfort design and future research in colleges located in cold areas.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43077-y
spellingShingle Shaobo Ning
Wenqiang Jing
Zhemin Ge
Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
Scientific Reports
title Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
title_full Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
title_fullStr Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
title_full_unstemmed Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
title_short Sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses: a new perspective
title_sort sunlight perception and outdoor thermal comfort in college campuses a new perspective
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43077-y
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