The multisensory interaction between auditory, visual, and thermal to the overall comfort in public open space: A study in a tropical climate

Abstract

• Perception of comfort in urban public space is affected by multimodal interaction. • Multimodal interaction exists between auditory and thermal sensations. • Multimodal interaction exists between visual and thermal sensations. • Sun exposures, dynamics, humidity, and noise influence comfort in urban public space. • Auditory factors have a stronger impact on comfort than thermal and visual factors. Human comfort, one of the most critical factors in public space utilization, is influenced by a multisensory interaction between stimuli in the built environment, namely auditory, thermal, and visual. However, the combined interaction between these stimuli and how it affects the perception of comfort and thus the use of space, especially for conditions in public open spaces in a tropical-climate country, is not fully understood. This study utilizes the Structural Equation Modeling method to model the interaction between the auditory, thermal, and visual factors in public open spaces by observing the physical parameters of the environment and the perceptions of space users. The results indicate a multisensory relationship between the visual and thermal factors induced by the sun exposures, in which Visual Sensation increases with an increase in Thermal Sensation. Another multisensory relationship exists between auditory and thermal factors, where Auditory Sensation increases with increased Thermal Sensation and noise level, which explains the dynamic in public open spaces. Additionally, changes in the auditory factor have the most significant influence on comfort in public open space, followed by thermal and visual factors. The findings of this study provide valuable information to support urban designers in creating comfortable urban public spaces.