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Adapting Housing Design Tools for Indoor Thermal Comfort to Changing Climates

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  • Eefje Hendriks

    (Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geo-information and Earth-Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Noorullah Kuchai

    (Climate Change & Engineering in Emergencies Hub, RedR United Kingdom, London SE1 7AB, UK)

  • Carolina Pereira Marghidan

    (Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geo-information and Earth-Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
    Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, 3731 GA De Bilt, The Netherlands
    Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, 2593 HT The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Anna Conzatti

    (The European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK)

Abstract

Heat-related fatalities are rising globally, driven by poorly designed housing and the limited use of climate adaptation strategies, particularly in low-income countries. Current housing design guidelines often rely on outdated climate classifications, reducing their effectiveness in future climate conditions. This study evaluates four carefully selected housing design tools in terms of their ability to improve thermal comfort in low-cost housing under future climate scenarios. The evaluation is based on a weighted multi-criteria assessment incorporating five key factors: future climate adaptability, guideline accuracy, user-friendliness, accessibility, and adaptability to user needs. Normalised relevance scores were obtained via quantitative ratings of the criteria by 32 international shelter, settlement, and construction professionals. The assessment results confirm the limited future climate sensitivity of the tools and variation in the other criteria. Tools to support indoor thermal comfort are suggested to integrate identified strengths with interactive reliable climate projections. Further tool development should support neighbourhood-wide resilience, incorporating passive design and energy efficiency principles, as well as local sustainable building practices, and improve accessibility for diverse stakeholders. Tool improvements are essential to facilitate climate-adaptive housing design in low-resource areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Eefje Hendriks & Noorullah Kuchai & Carolina Pereira Marghidan & Anna Conzatti, 2025. "Adapting Housing Design Tools for Indoor Thermal Comfort to Changing Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-35, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2511-:d:1611136
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ormandy, David & Ezratty, Véronique, 2012. "Health and thermal comfort: From WHO guidance to housing strategies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 116-121.
    2. N. Elguindi & A. Grundstein & S. Bernardes & U. Turuncoglu & J. Feddema, 2014. "Assessment of CMIP5 global model simulations and climate change projections for the 21 st century using a modified Thornthwaite climate classification," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 122(4), pages 523-538, February.
    3. Barry Smit & Ian Burton & Richard Klein & J. Wandel, 2000. "An Anatomy of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 223-251, April.
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