Abstract
This paper aims at extending earlier models of outdoor thermal perception by fusing new knowledge from recent literature and deriving perspectives for future research and methods from the new model. Previous models focused on physical and physiological aspects. Only recently, the psychological aspects of thermal perception received more attention, such as spatial perception. Furthermore, in recent literature on thermal perception, two time scales have been described: the short-term and the long-term thermal perception. Based on this new literature, we develop a conceptual, more comprehensive model that takes these factors into account as well. It hypothesizes how thermal sensation and psychological processes interact on the two time scales. However, to be able to describe relationships between psychological aspects of thermal perception more precisely, more research is required on the following issues: (1) influence of momentary personal references and preferences (e.g., mood), (2) influence of long-term personal references and preferences (e.g., cultural aspects, habituation), and (3) influence of the perception of the spatial environment on thermal perception. Moreover, the relation between momentary and long-term thermal perception has not been studied yet. We conclude this paper with an outlook on possible methods to study these factors.
Highlights
Humanity has to adapt its urban environment to the effects of rising frequency of heatwaves (Field 2014) and other climate issues such as urban wind effects (Blocken and Carmeliet 2004), especially when it comes to sustaining or creating human thermal comfort (Gosling et al 2009)
To generate a revised conceptual model, we studied the literature, and based on this new conceptual model, we identify a range of knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to understand certain aspects of the model and their relationships
To develop the extended model of outdoor thermal perception, we studied the literature with special focus on the aspects that influence short- and long-term outdoor thermal perception
Summary
Humanity has to adapt its urban environment to the effects of rising frequency of heatwaves (Field 2014) and other climate issues such as urban wind effects (Blocken and Carmeliet 2004), especially when it comes to sustaining or creating human thermal comfort (Gosling et al 2009). The reasons to adapt are manifold: we need to support safety, well-being, and health, maintain high work productivity, and lower the mortality rates during heat waves (Blocken and Carmeliet 2004; Haines et al 2006; Kovats and Hajat 2008; D'Ippoliti et al 2010). To effectively change thermal conditions and the way people perceive and appreciate them, we need better evidence about the impact of the factors we can influence. To be able to influence thermal perception effectively, it is necessary to understand these relations in a more precise way. We deem a refinement of this earlier model necessary, taking into account time scales and making relations more explicit. To generate a revised conceptual model, we studied the literature, and based on this new conceptual model, we identify a range of knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to understand certain aspects of the model and their relationships. We conclude this paper with suggesting methods to study these underrepresented aspects
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