The study of human thermal comfort in outdoor spaces should be understood as a basis for climate responsive urban planning. By means of enhancing the attractiveness of open areas and by promoting outdoor activities, urban planners concerned with thermal preferences of the local population can facilitate the use of such spaces. This study analyses the thermal sensation of local dwellers in Glasgow, UK, located in a temperate climate, by comparing responses from thermal comfort surveys to predictions using thermal indices used in weather forecasting (Wind Chill, THSW), and thermal comfort studies (PET and PMV). Data were collected throughout 19 monitoring campaigns, from winter through summer 2011. For data collection, a Davis Vantage Pro2 weather station was used, which was equipped with temperature and humidity sensors, anemometer and pyranometer. A globe thermometer was prepared for assessing the mean radiant temperature, which used a temperature data logger (Tinytag-TGP-4500). Results showed that the thermal indices THSW and PET were more closely related to the actual thermal sensation of respondents, suggesting that such indices can help to understand the urban climate in and around Glasgow.
Urban climate; Urban planning; Thermal comfort indices; Outdoor thermal comfort
