Crowd Gathering and Thermal Comfort Research in Different Park Shading Spaces

The thermal comfort of different shaded spaces in parks varies noticeably, and it is also a key factor influencing crowd gathering. Longzi Lake Beach Park in Zhengzhou was used as a study area in this research. For analysis, a thermal comfort index for three different space types (unshaded, semi-shaded, and fully-shaded) and a crowd aggregation index were used. The results show that during autumn, visitors are sensitive to the thermal comfort in different shaded spaces, and that the location of the playing field differs significantly. Air temperature and solar radiation are the two factors that influence tourists’ thermal comfort the most. For the first time, a regression relationship between physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and mean thermal sensation vote (MTSV) is established in different shading spaces. It clarified the thermal comfort of tourists in different shaded spaces. PET and crowd aggregation index show a clear correlation. The correlation between the MTSV and crowd aggregation density increased with the increase in shade area. For the first time, the relationship between thermal comfort and crowd gathering in different shaded spaces in parks was analysed. The research is beneficial to improving the scientificity of the construction of the park’s thermal environment, and providing people with more comfortable outdoor space from the perspective of shading.