Abstract

LIN, Tzu-Ping et al. Outdoor thermal perception in different climatic regions. Initial results from Taichung (Taiwan) and Lisbon (Portugal). Finisterra [online]. 2014, n.98, pp.49-58. ISSN 0430-5027.

People living in different climatic regions have adapted to specific weather conditions and their tolerance to high temperatures and wind speeds is diverse. This study analyses the effect of thermal adaptations on the thermal perception of users of outdoor spaces in two different regions: Taichung (Taiwan) and Lisbon (Portugal), by means of field surveys and measurements of weather parameters. The thermal acceptable range, representing the satisfaction of people with thermal conditions, was calculated based on the Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and the results obtained for each region were compared. People in Lisbon are less satisfied with higher values of PET than in Taiwan, due to the adaptation of local people to higher values of air temperature and relative humidity in Taiwan. On the contrary, people in Lisbon showed a higher tolerance to strong wind, as a result of their exposure to higher average wind speeds than those in Taiwan. The results demonstrated that people's thermal perceptions vary with different climatic and cultural background. The influence of thermal adaptations in the use of outdoor spaces can contribute to improve the quality of these spaces, adapting them to the preferences of local users.

Keywords : Human biometeorology; thermal perception; Taiwan; Portugal.

        · abstract in Portuguese | French     · text in English     · English ( pdf )