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A Behavioural Analysis of Outdoor Thermal Comfort: A Comparative Analysis between Formal and Informal Shading Practices in Urban Sites

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  • Mohamed H. Elnabawi

    (College of Engineering, Applied Science University (ASU), Bahrain, In Partnership with London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK
    Faculty of Engineering, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Cairo 12566, Egypt)

  • Neveen Hamza

    (School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

This study calls for the integration of context-based socio-cultural habits and learning from local practices in providing outdoor thermal comfort in conservation areas. These parameters have direct impacts on outdoor activities, especially in hot arid climates. The study took place in two nearby locations one renovated and all external shadings removed to provide visual vistas to monuments while on the same street, no more than 1500 m apart, local shading practices were left in places. Sun-exposed as opposed to shaded sites were compared for subjective thermal comfort and outdoor activity, via structured interviews, observations, and wide-ranging micrometeorological measurements. The aim was to investigate psychological factors, including overall thermal comfort and perception, in addition to environmental parameters, such as solar radiation intensity and thermal adaptation. The analysis illustrates the importance of shading as a dominant factor in achieving thermal comfort on the urban scale, with a neutral temperature in summer of 29.9 °C and 29.2 °C for shaded and sun-exposed locations, respectively. The results suggest people may be more willing to tolerate higher temperatures in shaded rather than sun-exposed locations. Moreover, cultural constraints and context-based behaviour proved to have some influences on people’s levels of adaptation and their thermal behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed H. Elnabawi & Neveen Hamza, 2020. "A Behavioural Analysis of Outdoor Thermal Comfort: A Comparative Analysis between Formal and Informal Shading Practices in Urban Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-14, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9032-:d:437463
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ming Lu & Tuoyu Hou & Jingwan Fu & Yuan Wei, 2019. "The Effects of Microclimate Parameters on Outdoor Thermal Sensation in Severe Cold Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Choul Woong Kwon & Kang Jun Lee, 2017. "Outdoor Thermal Comfort in a Transitional Space of Canopy in Schools in the UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohamed H. Elnabawi & Esmail Saber, 2022. "Reducing carbon footprint and cooling demand in arid climates using an integrated hybrid ventilation and photovoltaic approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 3396-3418, March.

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