ASPECTS OF (HUMAN) THERMAL PREFERENCES IN THE URBAN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT OF ATHENS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Despite the fact that outdoor urban public spaces contribute to the quality of life within cities to a great extent, bioclimatic conditions directly affect both human thermal sensation and their usage. Thus, in order to design outdoor areas that can offer an extended use to individuals, the knowledge and understanding of the microclimatic conditions that contribute in human thermal comfort, is of primary importance. In the present paper some of the findings of an extensive research regarding the human thermal comfort conditions in the outdoor urban environment are presented. More specifically, the present work is aimed at finding out the microclimatic conditions that define human thermal comfort conditions in hot and dry regions, like Athens. The field survey took place periodically between 2010 and 2012 in selected open areas, such as parks and squares, in the city of Athens. Detailed microclimatic monitoring was carried out with the use of a portable mini weather station while at the same time structured questionnaires concerning thermal and visual sensation were answered by the users of the places. The actual thermal sensation vote (ASV) was expressed in a 7-point scale. The micrometeorological parameters monitored were the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, global radiation, globe temperature and the surfaces' temperature. Taking under consideration all the above, the air temperature range, in which the 90% of the individuals feel thermal comfort, are examined in both summer and winter period of the year. The degree that each of the most important meteorological parameters affects the human thermal sensation is also examined.