Outdoor thermal comfort & human behavior factors, models, and methodologies

Outdoor thermal comfort can directly impact user attendance and physical activity in outdoor public spaces, and the livability of the urban environments. Outdoor thermal comfort can also affect public health, economic progress, and socio-cultural bonds in cities. In the past two decades, numerous studies have investigated outdoor thermal comfort which has led to sophisticated models and frameworks using diverse variables and empirical and simulation-based assessment techniques. The present chapter provides an overview of the outdoor thermal comfort assessment factors, models, and frameworks, and highlights the potential areas for future research.