Abstract
ABSTRACT Semi-private open spaces are indispensable as they enhance society’s growth and contribute to individuals’ health and well-being, thereby improving the quality of life in residential neighbourhoods. However, at present, the integration of such open spaces into the planning of housing projects is often neglected and results in incidental open spaces in the built environment. These incidental open spaces, if designed and integrated carefully, can enhance thermal comfort and community activities significantly. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of semi-private open spaces on outdoor thermal comfort in a residential neighbourhood in Kochi, India. A low-rise residential neighbourhood was selected for the study, and the semi-private open spaces were categorized into six typologies based on location, shape, proportions, orientation, aspect ratio, sky view factor, and albedo. Further, the outdoor thermal comfort conditions of these typologies were assessed through simulations in Envi-Met software for a critical summer day. The comfort conditions were assessed through comfort indices namely physiological equivalent temperature and mean radiant temperature (MRT) and were compared to arrive at appropriate design recommendations for semi-private open spaces. The study found a significant correlation between orientation, aspect ratio, sky view factor, and shading with outdoor thermal comfort. The study found a sky view factor of 0.3–0.5, an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, orientation of open spaces in the N-S axis, and shading by trees with canopies above 2.5 m height as appropriate design strategies to reduce the heat stress in semi-private open spaces in low-rise residential neighbourhoods. The study recognizes the importance of integrating planned semi-private open spaces in the local building regulations which can improve the quality of open spaces and enhance public health and well-being while contributing to a better microclimate.
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