Traits of adaptive outdoor thermal comfort in a tropical urban microclimate

Chng Saun Fong; Suneja Manavvi; Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya; Logaraj Ramakreshnan; Nik Meriam Sulaiman; Nasrin Aghamohammadi

doi:10.3390/atmos14050852

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Traits of adaptive outdoor thermal comfort in a tropical urban microclimate

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Traits of adaptive outdoor thermal comfort in a tropical urban microclimate

Chng Saun Fong, Suneja Manavvi, Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya, Logaraj Ramakreshnan, Nik Meriam Sulaiman and Nasrin Aghamohammadi

Atmosphere, Vol.14(5), 852

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14050852

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Abstract

Urban heat islands (UHIs) are negatively impacting the quality of the urban environment and outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) levels, which have raised concerns regarding their impact on urban health and well-being. Understanding of OTC level is crucial, particularly in tropical cities with year-round high temperatures and humidity. A study was conducted in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, to determine the OTC level in a selected urban area through microclimate measurements and questionnaire surveys with 1157 respondents. Over half of the urban dwellers reported thermal discomfort, with a high perceived OTC level, indicating strong thermal adaptive behaviours among the urban dwellers despite the physiological stress. Confounding factors such as urban morphology, land cover and human activity patterns also influence the OTC level in the tropical city. The findings emphasize the need for interventions to improve the urban environment and promote better outdoor thermal comfort for city dwellers through measures such as green infrastructure, UHI mitigation and increasing public awareness.

Details

Title: Traits of adaptive outdoor thermal comfort in a tropical urban microclimate
Authors/Creators: Chng Saun Fong
Suneja Manavvi
Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya
Logaraj Ramakreshnan
Nik Meriam Sulaiman
Nasrin Aghamohammadi
Publication Details: Atmosphere, Vol.14(5), 852
Publisher: MDPI
Identifiers: 991005583965907891
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Murdoch Affiliation: College of Environmental and Life Sciences; Harry Butler Institute
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 8 Earth Sciences; 8.19 Oceanography, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences; 8.19.743 Urban Heat Island
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
ESI research areas: Geosciences