Evaluation of overall comfort based on combined thermal-acoustic effects in urban squares

Abstract

Investigating the combined effects of compositive human–environmental factors and developing indices to quantitatively measure environmental quality is essential. In this study, combined thermal-acoustic effects on overall comfort were used to develop evaluation models based on the demand for environmental improvement in severe cold cities, with small-to-medium-sized squares as examples. Parameter analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate overall comfort in squares with different spatial forms. Results indicate that thermal and acoustic environments significantly affected the overall comfort and varied with season, accounting for 58.7%–68.2% of the variations in overall comfort. Evaluation results indicated that the distribution of overall comfort was more similar to the sound level because of the significant difference in the acoustic environment. Block orientation, surrounding roads and the length-width ratio of squares were found to have different effects on overall comfort. The results can be applied to the comprehensive evaluation of environmental quality in urban squares.