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

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript deals with a research topic of considerable practical significance and academic value, namely, the study of outdoor microclimates in traditional Chinese villages and their climate adaptation wisdom. This topic is very consistent with global concerns about climate change and rural sustainability. In addition, it fills a significant gap in existing reviews, which have mainly focused on urban environments and ignored the distinctive features of rural and traditional rural environments. Therefore, this manuscript has the potential to inform microclimate-sensitive design, rural policy making, and public health strategies. However, several aspects require revision and further elaboration before the manuscript can be considered for publication.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Manuscripts require careful proofreading to ensure consistency in formatting and clarity of language throughout.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

This manuscript takes traditional Chinese villages as the object and sorts out the research progress of outdoor microclimate design. The topic has theoretical value and practical significance. The manuscript collects data comprehensively and has a good review basis, but there are still some deficiencies in the definition of research objects, structural organization and application transformation. The review comments are as follows:

1. The current definition of "traditional villages" is still unclear, and the differences in regional culture, spatial scale and historical period are not fully distinguished, and there is a lack of specific discussion on the actual user groups (such as indigenous people, returning youth, tourists, etc.) for microclimate design. In the context of the gradual hollowing out of traditional villages and the accelerated functional transformation, it is recommended to construct an analytical framework for village classification and scale division, and clarify the applicable population and target context of microclimate design to enhance the practical adaptability of the research.
2. Although the manuscriptidentifies several key factors affecting outdoor microclimate, the adaptation strategies and regulation paths in various contexts are still insufficient. It is suggested to further combine typical scenarios such as regional differences and building layout to explore feasible design suggestions based on local conditions and enhance the guiding ability of research on practice.
3. Although it involves foreign research content, the overall analysis lacks depth and systematicness. It is suggested to select representative traditional settlement cases (such as the Mediterranean, West Asia or Southeast Asia), summarize and compare their microclimate control strategies, analyze their applicable mechanisms and their reference to traditional Chinese villages, so as to expand the international perspective and enhance the depth of comparative analysis.
4. The content of the manuscriptcovers a wide range and has a large amount of information, but it lacks a clear logical main line, and the theoretical induction and structural organization are still loose. It is suggested to condense the core concepts, highlight several key issues (such as the relationship between spatial pattern and climate response, natural element configuration strategy, etc.), and strengthen the structural level and theoretical system construction of the overall discussion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Peer Review Report

Manuscript Title: How Outdoor Spatial Design Shapes Microclimate in Chinese Traditional Villages? A Systematic Review

Authors: Zixi Wan, Huihui Liu, Yan Yu, Yan Wu, Mark Melchior, Pim Martens, Thomas Krafft, and David Shaw

1. Overview

The article presents a systematic Chinese traditional village outdoor microclimate design studies review with regard to the effect of spatial elements on microclimate, human comfort, and behavior. It is an opportune study, given the increasing demand for climate adaptation as well as for rural sustainability. The PRISMA method is adequately applied, and the synthesis of a broad range of empirical studies is reported by the review, which provides valuable implications to researchers and practitioners.

2. Strengths

• Full Scope: The overview covers significant themes of microclimate studies, including physical microclimate, human comfort, and behavior, presenting an overall image of the topic.
• Methodological Rigor: The use of PRISMA guidelines provides transparency and replicability. Inclusion/exclusion criteria and search strategy are clearly defined.
• Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework provided effectively integrates spatial design properties to microclimate outcomes, and it forms a coherent approach for future research.
• Practical implications: The design approaches acquired through the review are viable and can be applied to policymakers, planners, and designers engaged in rural renewal.
• Geographical Focus: Geographical focus on Chinese traditional villages fills a gap in the literature, which has normally been biased towards urban environments.

3. Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement

• Limited Behavioral Focus: The authors point out that behavioral aspects are underemphasized. Adding more in-depth analysis or case studies to this section would make the review more robust.
• Climate Zone Bias: The majority of the reviewed studies are performed in "hot-summer cold-winter" regions. Awareness of this bias and discussion of its implications would introduce balance to the manuscript.
• Methodological Variety: Although the field measurements and simulations are represented well, the other methods (e.g., remote sensing, scale models) are not. A sentence or two of discussion on these methods would present a more balanced perspective.
• Language and Clarity: There are some dense sections, which might be improved with smoother transitions or more straightforward language to enhance readability.

4. Specific Comments

• Introduction:
  briefly mention the cultural significance of traditional villages in order to underscore their importance apart from climate adaptation.
  
  

• Methods:
  Insert a table with an overview of the key characteristics of the 43 included studies (e.g., climate zone, methods, key findings).
  
  

• Results:
  Define all abbreviations (e.g., PET, PMV) at the first occurrence.
  Discussion:
  Explain in detail why rural-specific results (e.g., "feng shui" models) are different from urban design principles.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear author,

It is my honor to review your manuscript. After a round of diligent revisions, I'm pleased to see that your efforts have paid off. Following a thorough review and evaluation, the current version demonstrates clear content, a logical structure, and fully meets the journal's requirements. I accept this version with satisfaction.