A review of thermal perception and adaptation strategies across global climate zones

Abstract

Urban thermal environment is very important for human health. Although a growing number of thermal perception surveys had been conducted, the variation of thermal perception associated with background climates remains unclear. Here, we presented a global review of the quantification methods, climate differences, and adaptation strategies for outdoor and indoor thermal comfort during the last 30 years. We found that more than half of current studies were focused on temperate climate zones, particularly in China. The misunderstanding of benchmark terms and inappropriate alternative calculations lead to results bias. Although thermal comfort scale in tropical moist climate zones and thermal acceptance scale in snow and temperate climate zones tend to be refined, applied research remains limited. The results showed that tropical moist climate zones had the highest neutral temperatures while snow climate zones occupied the lowest. The neutral temperature in snow climate zones exhibited the greatest seasonal variations of 6.44 °C for outdoor environments and 6.99 °C for indoor environments. The temperate climate zones had a wider indoor thermal acceptable range while snow climate zones had a wider outdoor acceptable range. This study provides the scientific basis for optimizing management strategies in urban regions to mitigate urban thermal risks.