Proposed Framework for Establishing a Global Database for Outdoor Thermal Comfort Research

In the last two decades, studies of subjective thermal comfort have been widely conducted in the urban environment, covering different cultures and climatic regions. However, shortcomings can be observed mainly with respect to protocols used in terms of assessment scales of thermal perception, calculated thermal indices and instrumental setup used for micrometeorological measurements. Such data may vary considerably across studies due to constraints at field sites and the availability of instruments, making it difficult for inter-comparisons between studies and climatic regions, calibrations of thermal indices and a true understanding of people’s thermal perception in outdoor settings. There is a need for standardisation of methodology and guidance for conducting field surveys in outdoor spaces with implications on climate-sensitive urban design, public health measures and adaptation of humans to a changing climate. The objective of this proposed framework is to develop a standard methodology for outdoor thermal comfort surveys towards the creation of a worldwide outdoor comfort database.