Thermal Perception Research Articles

Determinants of Soundscape Quality of Communal Open Space in Hong Kong

Soundscape quality of communal open space (COS) in residential housing estates has been less thoroughly investigated. This paper aims to reveal the intricate relationships among physical sound, visual and thermal environments and their respective human perceptions, and soundscape quality, as well as their relative influences. To this end, a path model was formulated with aid of 1749 face-to-face field interview responses collected via questionnaire surveys together with physical measurements at the COS of nine residential housing estates in Hong Kong. The model findings suggested that pleasantness and landscape visual quality, as well as thermal acceptability were the primary drivers for soundscape quality of COS. The size of effects of thermal perceptions on soundscape quality was found comparable to those of aural and visual perceptions. In turn, pleasantness was more influenced by perception of dominant vehicle sound, human sound and birdsong than physical sound properties and psychoacoustics factors. Visual quality of landscape also played an important role on soundscape assessments via visibility of greenery and sky. Besides, thermal acceptability was found to directly influence soundscape assessments instead of thermal comfort or sensation. Above all, our findings provide valuable insights for residential housing estate designers in formulating strategies that can effectively improve soundscape quality in COS in compact city environments.

Modeling the Effect of Greenways’ Multilevel Visual Characteristics on Thermal Perception in Summer Based on Bayesian Network and Computer Vision

The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of multilevel visual characteristics of greenways on thermal perception in hot and humid regions during summer and to explore the potential of visual design to enhance psychological thermal comfort. Data on light (L), color (C), plant richness (PR), space openness (SO), scenic view (SV), thermal sensation (TS), and thermal preference (TP) were collected through questionnaires (n = 546). Computer vision technology was applied to measure the green view index (GVI), sky view index (SVI), paving index (PI), spatial enclosure (SE), and water index (WI). Using the hill climbing algorithm in R to construct a Bayesian network, model validation results indicated prediction accuracies of 0.799 for TS and 0.838 for TP. The results showed that: (1) SE, WI, and SV significantly positively influence TS, while L significantly negatively influences TS (R2 = 0.6805, p-value < 0.05); (2) WI, TS, and SV significantly positively influence TP (R2 = 0.759, p-value < 0.05).

Comparative study of outdoor thermal comfort: Residents vs. tourists at Xi'an Ming Dynasty Ancient city wall scenic area

This study explores the thermal perceptions and comfort of residents and tourists at the Xi'an Ming Dynasty Ancient City Wall Scenic Area, addressing a gap in comparative outdoor thermal comfort studies in historical settings. Meteorological measurements and questionnaires collected between July 2019 and March 2021 analyze physical, individual, social, and psychological factors influencing thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability across seasons. The RayMan model calculates Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), with data analyzed using SPSS 27.0. Results show Neutral PET (NPET) values of 17.1 °C for residents and 18.6 °C for tourists, and Preferred PET (PPET) values of 18.4 °C and 20.8 °C, respectively. Thermal Acceptability Ranges (TAR) are 13.5 °C–26.7 °C for residents and 15 °C–24.1 °C for tourists. Whether the measurement space contains water sources significantly affects temperature and humidity, while vegetation impacts wind speed. Physical factors predominantly affect perceptions, with individual factors becoming more important for tourists in winter. The findings provide insights for optimizing the thermal environment in scenic open spaces to enhance the comfort of both residents and tourists.

Experimental evaluation of subjective thermal perceptions for different local window screenings

In tropical climate, restricting convective gain while allowing cross ventilation creates paradoxical difficulty regarding indoor thermal comfort. Changing global climate gives new dimensions to the scenario results in subsequent pressure on increasing energy demand towards thermal comfort. Passive techniques can be a good way to dealt with the problem. However, occupants’ thermal perception may vary from person to person for a definite indoor environmental setup. Perception of subjective thermal comfort is crucial for human health and wellbeing which in turns effects performance. In the current study evaluation of subjective thermal performance regarding improved indoor thermal comfort has been studied for three different local window screening: i) plastic bottle with its wider face towards wind direction, ii) plastic bottle with its narrower face towards wind direction and iii) perforated bamboo screen. Six subjects: four female and two male (ages between 22-24), have been investigated for 30mins. in an experimental simulation chamber for three consecutive days. Questionnaire regarding thermal sensation and perception has been prepared to collect subjective response at 10mins. interval. From the experiment it is seen that subjective responses varies for different window screenings as well as for a specific indoor thermal condition created with definite screening. Subjects find the indoor environment comfortable for screening with plastic bottle with its wider face towards wind direction compared to other two. Bamboo screening has comparatively better performance than the screening plastic bottle with its narrower face towards wind direction. The current analysis only considers the thermal sensation of the subject and further extension of study considering factors like the subject's site-specific thermal sensation and other psychological effects can contribute towards improving indoor thermal comfort in tropics towards human health and wellbeing.

Exploring cross-modal perception: audio, visual, and thermal responses to changes in audio-visual Stimuli within virtual urban parks

Human perception is an essential factor in soundscape. Humans are multisensory beings, and thus, their perceptions are influenced by various multisensorial experiences. Our perception of a soundscape is not solely influenced by the sound in itself but also by various non-auditory factors. This research examines how visual factors, other than auditory, influence people's perceptions in public open spaces. An experiment was conducted using audio and visual stimuli. Three setups were compared: audio-only, visual-only, and combined audio-visual stimuli to observe differences in the respondent's perception. Furthermore, this research examines not only auditory perception but also visual and thermal perceptions, all of which are known to be important in public open spaces. The statistical test ANOVA showed that the Audio-Visual and visual-only stimuli produced a significant difference (p<0.05) in the thermal perception. On the other hand, the Audio-Visual and audio-only stimuli did not result in any significant differences. This study contributes to understanding the interaction between different sensory modalities and how it affects our perception. The findings underscore the importance of considering multisensory experiences, including auditory, visual, and thermal aspects when designing or evaluating environments in urban settings.

Enhancing autumn greenway walking experience: Exploring the combined effects of noise and thermal environment.

The evaluation of outdoor green spaces is influenced by diverse sensory perceptions. Traffic noise and thermal conditions significantly impact greenway-walking satisfaction; their optimization is vital for improving user experience and encouraging outdoor engagement. The study examines a typical Beijing greenway during autumn, focusing on strategies to enhance the walking experience under the combined effects of noise and thermal environments through mobile measurements and surveys. The results show that: 1) The interplay between noise and thermal factors varies depending on the walking state. Upon arrival, an increase in noise significantly worsens thermal comfort; higher sound levels intensify warm thermal sensations, though this effect is not consciously perceived. Upon departure, the effect of noise on thermal perception is not obvious. In both walking states, thermal sensation significantly affects subjective noise perception, yet the trends of influence differ. Subjective noise loudness increases as thermal comfort worsens, showing significant correlation only upon departure. 2) During autumn greenway walks, acoustic factors exert a greater impact on Overall Environmental Satisfaction (OES), with subjective noise loudness being more influential than noise level, followed by air temperature (Ta). Greater noise decreases OES, while OES increases initially with Ta and then decreases. The integrated effects of noise-thermal factors on OES show significant changes. 3) To enhance the autumn greenway-walking experience, the advised parameters are A-weighted Sound Level (ASL) ≤ 59.12 dBA and 15.17°C ≤ Ta ≤ 18.75°C. Finally, three design strategies are proposed: reducing subjective noise loudness, differentiating design based on walking status and balancing acoustic-thermal perceptual preferences.

Investigation of thermal comfort and preferred temperatures among rural elderly in Weihai, China: Considering metabolic rate effects

As the population ages, the thermal environment indoors for the elderly has garnered extensive attention. However, current research on thermal comfort for the elderly is not comprehensive, particularly for rural elderly individuals who experience unique thermal perceptions and adaptation behaviors due to physical changes. Moreover, metabolic rates, which are often overlooked in thermal comfort studies for the elderly, play a crucial role. A year-long survey of thermal comfort was conducted in the rural areas of Weihai, a coastal city in China's cold region, collecting 203 questionnaires. Three different values of metabolic rates (recommended values, estimated values, and values calculated using Basal Metabolic Rate and Physical Activity Ratio) were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the Basal Metabolic Rate and Physical Activity Ratio method provides predictions of thermal sensation that more closely align with actual thermal sensations. The adaptive coefficient of the aPMV model was found to be −0.38 in colder environments and 0.272 in warmer ones. Additionally, using PMV regression, TSV regression, and Griffiths' method, we calculated the local elderly's comfort temperatures to be 18.9 °C (15.43–22.57 °C), 19.3 °C (15.16–22.75 °C), and 21.63 °C (21.34–23.49 °C) respectively. This study introduces a straightforward method for calculating metabolic rates in elderly individuals, offering new insights for research on thermal comfort in the elderly and expanding the database for thermal comfort studies. It lays a foundation for future design and standardization of housing for rural elderly populations.

Sex differences in physiological responses and thermal perception during repeated extremely cold exposure (−15 °C)

People working in cold regions often need to move frequently between indoor and outdoor environments. Due to sex differences in metabolic rates and thermal sensitivity, repeated exposure to large temperature differences may stress physiological and perceptual systems of males and females differently. This study aims to explore the physiological responses and thermal perception changes in males and females repeatedly exposed to −15 °C. The experiment involved 20 participants (gender balanced), who experienced two consecutive cycles of cold exposure. Each cycle included 30 min of cold exposure and 30 min of recovery. During the experiment, multiple physiological parameters as well as overall and local thermal perception were recorded. The experimental results indicate that repeated cold exposure can lead to thermal habituation in both males and females. Males exhibited higher skin temperatures in extremities such as the hands, fingers, face, and feet, while females reported lower thermal sensations in these areas during the recovery period. Furthermore, repeated cold exposure has a greater impact on the rate of recovery of extremity skin temperatures in females, requiring a longer recovery time compared to males. This article has reference value for considering sex differences in the design of temporary transition spaces in winter, which is beneficial to improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency.

Thermal perception and dressing behaviors of pregnant women during different stages of pregnancy: A field study at a hospital in Xi'an, China

Pregnant women have different thermal preferences during pregnancy. This paper aims to investigate the thermal characteristics of pregnant women in hospitals, addressing a research gap in the field of thermal comfort for this population. This study assessed the thermal environments of the pregnancy examination spaces (i.e., B-ultrasound room and waiting area) in a hospital located in Xi'an during the winter season. Data were collected from 1055 pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy, including demographic characteristics, thermal sensation votes (TSVs), thermal comfort votes (TCVs), and clothing insulation. The results show that the thermal sensation was significantly more influenced by the pregnancy stage than the current weight. Pregnant women in the third trimester reported a higher mean thermal sensation vote (MTSV) than in other pregnancy stages. Furthermore, the clothing insulation of pregnant women exhibited a non-normal distribution, resembling a bimodal structure. Based on this structure, typical clothing insulation values were determined to be 0.9 clo in the B-ultrasound room and 1.3 clo in the waiting area. Given these characteristics in both thermal perception and dressing behaviors of pregnant women via a subjective questionnaire, we advise lowering the temperature to ensure their comfort and save heating energy. Some personalized seats are also provided to compensate for differences in thermal preference at various stages of pregnancy. These findings contribute to the creation of comfortable and healthy pregnancy examination environments.

Controlled airflow fluctuations for improved performance of mist cooling systems: Enhanced evaporation and thermal comfort

Rising global temperatures and resulting heat stress on people necessitate sustainable outdoor cooling solutions. Mist cooling offers promise, and this work proposes a novel approach: incorporating fluctuating airflows into misting systems. We hypothesize that mist-cooled fluctuating airflows could provide more efficient outdoor cooling for people, for two reasons: 1) Increased turbulence and mixing promoting higher water evaporation rates; 2) dynamic airflow leveraging transient thermal perception for improved comfort.Wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations support this hypothesis, revealing that fluctuating flow, compared to constant flow with the same average velocity, enhances evaporation. Lower frequencies, higher amplitudes, and profiles with steeper gradients led to higher evaporation rates. These findings assume an idealized domain, excluding natural wind patterns. Furthermore, predictions confirmed that fluctuating flows consistently provide superior thermal comfort compared to constant flows. Fluctuating airflow with misting achieved equivalent comfort at 38% lower energy consumption compared to fluctuating flow without misting and 81% lower compared to constant flow with misting. The proposed technology has the potential to improve outdoor comfort and decrease resource consumption. It is scalable, not complex, and can be implemented into existing systems, though it may face challenges such as increased wear on fan components.

Study of the mechanism of local thermal sensation affecting overall thermal sensation in Xizang people under asymmetrical dressing

Asymmetrical dressing behavior on the plateau, known as the third pole of the world, leads to varying thermal perception in different body parts. Research on how local parts characterize the overall thermal sensation of the Xizang people has attracted widespread attention. This study used the stepwise regression method to identify which local body parts significantly affect overall thermal sensation and the model for local and overall thermal sensation in the Xizang people under asymmetrical dressing was established. Moreover, the model was optimized considering overall thermal difference and thermal asymmetry degree between the sleeve-on and sleeve-off sides. The results showed asymmetrical dressing angle (ADA) affected the local thermal sensation, resulting in a distribution of “left hot and right cold” for the shoulder, arm, chest, and back. The local thermal sensation range of the Xizang people expands by 1 scale when the ADA increases by every 29°. In cold environments, the peak of thermal comfort percentage at 15° ADA increases by 3.1%/°C. The model elucidated the relationship between local and overall thermal sensation under asymmetrical dressing, with a high fit of 0.97. This study provides insights into the influence mechanism of local and overall thermal sensation of the Xizang people.

Improved understanding of thermal comfort could yield energy savings in heritage buildings

Abstract It is necessary to improve the understanding of thermal comfort to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling in heritage buildings, which are often energy inefficient and where interventions are limited. Personal thermal comfort models based on measurements of environmental conditions and the individual’s physiological and subjective responses represent a potential solution to ensure the optimization of existing systems. Past research shows that lighting could impact thermophysiology and subjective perception of thermal conditions, but it is not clear whether the impact is sufficient to make light adaptation an appropriate solution to reduce energy consumption in heritage buildings, where people live and work. The research conducted under realistic semi-controlled conditions in an office environment of an existing building addresses this research gap. The paper presents the first partial simplified analyses and preliminary results of a wider ongoing study, mainly showing a correlation between skin temperature and air temperature and a partially promising effect of light on subjective thermal perception. Our research on the effect of light on thermal comfort does not provide definitive conclusions but rather highlights the need for further investigation in actual heritage buildings.

Assessing thermal comfort in wooden buildings: A visual perceptual analysis through physiological characterization

As the use of wood, a representative low-carbon building material, increases to reduce greenhouse gases, analysis of the impact of wood spaces on occupants is important for effective environmental planning. Therefore the study delved into the visual and perceptual warmth effects of wood through a comparative of thermal sensations in spaces featuring various finishing materials. A living space was created using concrete, wallpaper, brick, and wood, respectively, through virtual reality. A total of 30 subjects experienced the four living spaces through virtual reality, while subjective thermal sensation questionnaires and four physiological responses were measured. In a slightly cool environment based on predicted mean vote, subjects ranked the perceived warmth in the following order: wood > brick > wallpaper > concrete, with wood surpassing concrete by 3.30, in terms of visual warmth. These results support the hue-heat hypothesis that materials in the yellow–red spectrum are commonly perceived as warm. Moreover, the representative psychological impression associated with wood, such as warmth and coziness, considerably influences these perceptions. Importantly, the positive impact of the visual and perceptual thermal effects of wood, alongside the impression of space (as being comfortable, positive, and relaxed), notably enhanced thermal comfort, especially in cooler conditions. Furthermore, the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment was validated through correlation analysis involving thermal perception biomarkers and thermal comfort model. Indoor spaces with wood finishing materials were perceived as warm, and the possibility of reducing heating load and greenhouse gas emissions was suggested by improving thermal comfort during the heating season

Appliance utility in low-income housing: On the relation between socio-economic characteristics, thermal comfort and appliance usage pattern

This study examines the effect of behavioural aspects, dwelling characteristics, and socio-economic drivers, particularly cooling appliance usage patterns, on perceived thermal comfort and further estimates the utility of using different household appliances within low-income archetypes of Mumbai, India. Field-survey-derived 625 samples were drawn from slums and rehab housing and empirically examined using the Ordinal Logistic Regression and Fractional Multinomial Logit models. The results reveal a significant influence of household income and occupant behaviour on thermal satisfaction. Income is a significant barrier to the adoption and usage of thermal appliances. Residents in social housing drive higher utility from operating refrigerators and TVs than washing machines. Low-income quartiles, however, reveal a higher utility from using iron. A positive correlation exists between the proportion of working individuals and appliance usage like washing machine, refrigerator and iron. Surprisingly, larger households are less likely to use exhaust. Considerable heterogeneity thus exists in thermal comfort and appliance usage behaviour and derived energy services in the studied area. This research sheds light on the critical role of income and socio-cultural factors in shaping thermal comfort perceptions and appliance usage patterns. The findings have implications for policy interventions aimed at improving energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and access to essential appliances in low-income communities of developing nations.

Variable and dynamic associations between hot weather, thermal comfort, and individuals’ emotional states during summertime

The effects of heat exposure on negative affect are thought to be central to the observed relationships between hot summer days and deleterious outcomes, such as violent crime or mental health crises. As these relationships are likely to be magnified by the effects of climate change, a better understanding of how consistent or variable the effects of hot weather on affective states is required. The current work combines data gathered from an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study on individuals’ thermal perceptions, comfort, and affective states in outdoor environments during their daily lives with high spatiotemporal resolution climate-modeled weather variables. Using these data, associations between objective weather variables (temperature, humidity, etc.), perceived heat (thermal perception and comfort), and affective states are examined. Overall, objective weather data reasonably predicted perception and comfort, but only comfort predicted negative affective states. The variance explained across individuals was generally very low in predicting negative affect or comfort, but within-person variance explained was high. In other words, while there may be a relatively consistent relationship between temperature and psychological experience for any given person, there are significant individual differences across people. Age and gender were examined as moderators of these relationships, and while gender had no impact, participant age showed several significant interactions. Specifically, while older adults tended to experience more thermal discomfort and perceived higher temperatures as hotter, the relationship between discomfort and negative affect was lower in older adults. Taken together, these results emphasize the importance of thermal discomfort specifically in predicting negative affect, as well as the high inter-individual variability in thermal perceptions and comfort for the same ambient temperatures.

Facial cooling improves thermal perceptions and maintains the interleukin-6 response during passive heating: A sex comparison

ABSTRACT Passively elevating body temperature can trigger a potentially beneficial acute inflammatory response. However, heat therapy often causes discomfort and negative thermal perceptions, particularly in females who generally have lower heat tolerance than males. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facial cooling on thermal comfort and interleukin-6 concentration in response to 60 minutes of dry heat exposure, and to investigate sex differences in physiological responses and perceptions. 22 healthy young adults (10 females, 12 males; age: 24.4 ± 3.3 years) completed three trials in randomized order using a dry sauna device: 1) Hyperthermia (71.1 ± 1.9°C; HEAT), 2) Hyperthermia with facial cooling via fans (71.1 ± 3.0°C; FAN), and 3) Normothermia (27.0 ± 0.9°C; CON). Blood samples to determine interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma concentration were collected before and after exposure; basic affect and thermal comfort, rectal and skin temperature were assessed throughout the intervention. Rectal temperature following HEAT (38.0 ± 0.3°C) and FAN (37.8 ± 0.3°C) did not differ between males and females (p = 0.57). Females had higher forehead skin temperatures than males (p ≤ 0.019). Thermal comfort remained more positive in FAN compared to HEAT (p ≤ 0.002). Females felt more thermal discomfort than males in HEAT (p ≤ 0.03), but not in FAN (p = 0.28). The increase in IL-6 plasma concentration was similar between HEAT and FAN (p = 1.00), and higher than CON (p ≤ 0.02); there was no difference between males and females (p = 0.69). This study showed that facial cooling alleviated the thermal discomfort during heat exposure, particularly benefitted females, and did not impede the acute IL-6 response.

Thermal-material priming: The influence of building materials on thermal perception and tolerance in immersive virtual environments

The effects of color and lighting on thermal perception and comfort have been studied through a multitude of methods, including virtual reality (VR) simulations as well as in vivo studies. The potential role of surface materials, however, remains poorly understood in this regard, even though materials and surface colors are clearly related factors in the perception of building interiors. In this study, we tested two Virtual Reality (VR) office spaces, one designed with wood and one with concrete. 38 participants (N = 38) were recruited to complete a simple reading task over fifteen minutes while being seated in a controlled temperature thermal booth. During this time, the booth temperature dropped by an average of 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) per minute from 22.2 °C (72 °F) to 17.7 °C (64 °F). Participants had the perceived ability to control the room’s temperature via a virtual reality interface, an action that served as a measure of “thermal tolerance” based on how long it took participants to try and stop the constant temperature drop in the thermal booth during the experimental task. Participants were surveyed after the study to state their perceived starting and ending room temperature. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the wood room was perceived as warmer overall than the concrete room. However, the results for the “thermal tolerance” metric varied based on the current outside temperature as we predict participants expected different interior temperature regimes in warm compared to cool outdoor conditions. The perception of the concrete room as cooler than the wood room showed the greatest correllation with thermal tolerance when outdoor temperatures were warm, increasing thermal comfort in the concrete room. The results of the study validate the hue-heat hypothesis for architectural building materials and support the potential for thermal perception to induce actionable behavior and promote passive energy savings through the choice of interior building materials.

N-Check: nerve check to document chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in incurable cancer

Chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN) encompasses aspectrum of symptoms ranging from hypoesthesia with impaired gait, stance and fine motor skills to painful dysesthesia and allodynia and significantly impairs the quality of life of those affected. In the present pilot study, quantitative sensory testing (QST) was used to investigate CIPN as acommon adverse effect of cytostatic drugs in patients with incurable cancer. The QST is astandardized examination procedure that is not yet routinely used in cancer patients. It is used to examine thermal and mechanical perception and pain thresholds to record the subjectively experienced pain phenotype. In the N‑Check pilot project, the QST was used before and after tumor-specific, potentially CIPN-inducing treatment and the data collected was compared in apre-post analysis. In addition, the specific effects of CIPN on the health-related quality of life of patients treated primarily with apalliative intention were recorded using the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire. Overall, the patients showed significant heat hypoalgesia after chemotherapy as asign of damage to small nerve fibers. In addition, there were signs of deterioration of the quality of life. The feasibility of QST in patients with incurable cancer and palliative, neurotoxic chemotherapy was demonstrated in this pilot study.

Adaptive strategies and thermal perceptions in intermittently used congregational Spaces: A case study

In spaces with considerable volumes that are sporadically used and typically not operating at full capacity, existing thermal comfort models face limitations. This research aims to reveal disparities between these models and survey-based comfort assessments. Comfort calculations were conducted using conventional thermal comfort models based on measured parameters and compared with survey data. Notable differences prompted the formulation of a more robust correlation, accounting for 83.4 % of the variations in Predicted Mean Votes (PMV). A regression model derived from survey data shows a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.84), supporting its applicability for large intermittently used spaces like mosques. Addressing limitations of existing models, this research introduces a practical and simplified approach to predicting thermal comfort, enhancing assessments in these distinctive spaces. The study also examines mosque indoor air quality dynamics. Despite sporadic ventilation, CO2 levels rose from 1500 ppm to 2500 ppm during Friday prayers, posing potential health risks. Before prayers, indoor CO2 and humidity met ASHRAE Standard 62, ISO 7730, and EN15231 values. To mitigate health concerns from elevated CO2 levels, improved ventilation systems are necessary. Comfort temperatures were only achieved during prayer periods.

Determination of outdoor thermal comfort thresholds for hot and semi-arid climates: A field study of residential neighbourhoods in Jaipur city

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) plays a vital role in enhancing the livability and well-being of urban residents, making it an essential area of research, particularly in the context of climate change. However, few studies have specifically focused on hot and semi-arid regions, especially within residential environments. This study seeks to address this gap by assessing OTC in various residential areas classified as Local Climate Zones (LCZs), ensuring a diverse range of survey locations to evaluate people's comfort and stress levels. Using the Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) index, the study calibrated the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) scale for hot and semi-arid climates. In Jaipur, micrometeorological data was monitored alongside thermal perceptions, resulting in 2,428 valid responses gathered during both summer and winter seasons, between 09:00 and 21:00 h, when outdoor activity is common. The analysis revealed that microclimate parameters significantly influence thermal sensations in outdoor environments. Respondents showed high tolerance levels during summer, with variations in thermoneutrality, acceptability, preferences, and comfort across different built typologies. The threshold values identified in this study offer valuable insights for urban planners and designers, enabling them to enhance outdoor thermal comfort during the planning stages, ultimately creating more comfortable and livable urban spaces for residents.