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How Does Outdoor Spatial Design Shape the Microclimate, Comfort, and Behavior in Traditional Chinese Villages? A Systematic Review Across Scales, Contexts, and Users

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  • Zixi Wan

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Huihui Liu

    (System Earth Science, University College Venlo, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Yan Yu

    (System Earth Science, University College Venlo, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Yan Wu

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Mark Melchior

    (Brightlands Future Farming Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Pim Martens

    (System Earth Science, University College Venlo, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Thomas Krafft

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • David Shaw

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Traditional Chinese villages, which have long supported villagers’ comfort level of daily activities, are increasingly affected by global climate change and rural reconstruction, prompting growing research interest in their outdoor microclimate design. This systematic review aims to synthesize and evaluate the outdoor microclimate spatial design mechanism studies in traditional Chinese villages noted for their uniqueness and complexity. Following the PRISMA method, this study was carried out on November 27, 2024, by retrieving studies from the Scopus and CNKI databases and applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria; 42 empirical studies were systematically reviewed. It identifies current research trends, summarizes concepts, frameworks, indicators, and methodologies with a focus on the design mechanisms considering scales, contexts, and user groups, and outlines directions for future research. The findings reveal a growing number of publications, with case studies predominantly concentrated on three concepts: physical microclimates, human comfort, and behavioral responses, characterized as distributed in south-east areas. Based on these concepts and their correlations, this study proposes a classification framework based on multiple scales, contexts, and user groups. Within this framework, the study found that relative humidity and PET (physiological equivalent temperature) emerge as the most commonly used indicators, while field measurements, simulations, surveys, and observations are identified as the primary methods. The review further reveals that unique outdoor spatial design characteristics shape physical microclimates, human comfort, and behavior indicators influenced by contexts and users from the macro to the micro scale. Future research should advance existing studies by enriching the current contextual framework and explore more microclimatic factors. This review offers a comprehensive overview and actionable insights for outdoor microclimate design, policymaking, and the promotion of climate adaptation and villagers’ public health in different traditional rural settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Zixi Wan & Huihui Liu & Yan Yu & Yan Wu & Mark Melchior & Pim Martens & Thomas Krafft & David Shaw, 2025. "How Does Outdoor Spatial Design Shape the Microclimate, Comfort, and Behavior in Traditional Chinese Villages? A Systematic Review Across Scales, Contexts, and Users," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-30, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6960-:d:1714511
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Tieqiao Xiao & Lanlan Sheng & Shaojie Zhang & Licheng Zheng & Taotao Shui, 2023. "Thermal Comfort Improvement Strategies for Outdoor Spaces in Traditional Villages Based on ENVI-Met: Shimengao Village in Chizhou City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Kai Xin & Jingyuan Zhao & Tianhui Wang & Weijun Gao, 2022. "Supporting Design to Develop Rural Revitalization through Investigating Village Microclimate Environments: A Case Study of Typical Villages in Northwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
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