Search Results (232)

Tourism in Greece is directly influenced by bioclimatic conditions, with thermal comfort being a key determinant of destination suitability. This study quantifies projected changes in outdoor thermal stress across 25 representative Greek tourism locations using the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index. The analysis employs daily outputs from four EURO-CORDEX regional climate model simulations at ~11 km spatial resolution, covering the period 1970–2100 under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). Predominant PET classes were derived for a reference period (1971–2000) and two future horizons (2031–2060, 2071–2100) to evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of thermal comfort. The results reveal a consistent upward shift toward higher PET classes, indicating intensifying thermal stress. During the baseline, moderate to strong heat stress (29–35 °C) dominated summer months, with cold stress (<8 °C) restricted to northern and high-altitude stations. By mid-century, even under RCP2.6, summer PET values increasingly exceed 35–41 °C, while RCP8.5 simulations show the first occurrence of extreme PET (>41 °C). By late century, RCP2.6 stabilizes heat stress, whereas RCP4.5 exhibits widespread dominance of strong stress classes and elimination of cold stress. Under RCP8.5, July–August are uniformly categorized as extreme (>41 °C) across nearly all stations, and transitional months shift toward high stress, leading to a homogenization of summer conditions. These findings underscore the high sensitivity of Greek tourism destinations to climate change, highlighting both the critical benefits of global emissions mitigation and the urgent need for locally tailored adaptation strategies. Full article

Climate change has led to the development of adaptation strategies at national, regional, and local levels. However, these interventions are often implemented without a strategic focus, either overlooking areas with the most urgent needs or failing to optimize efficiency at the local scale. BIOASTY aims to address this gap. The project’s primary objective was to assess thermal comfort in various urban environments using high-resolution modeling and propose targeted interventions to enhance thermal conditions. The final outcome was an operational system with comprehensive action protocols applicable to the city of Tripolis, Greece, strengthening urban resilience under different climate change scenarios. Full article

Amid intensifying global climate change, coastal cities are facing increased heat stress. The sea breeze plays a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving outdoor thermal comfort, warranting detailed investigation of its spatiotemporal impacts. This research, conducted in Sendai, Japan, combines the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the Rayman thermal comfort model to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) on typical sea breeze days, exploring heat stress patterns. The findings indicate significant PET reductions in the area due to sea breeze influence, although high heat stress persists in urban centers. The coastal zone (0–4 km) experiences the longest period of low heat stress, whereas the inland zone (20–26 km) suffers from poor thermal comfort. Heat stress intensifies in the northwestern inland regions, while improvement progresses from the coast inland. Vegetated areas reach low heat stress states earlier than built-up areas; both coastal and urban zones quickly revert to “no heat stress” conditions. The results demonstrate that the cooling effect of sea breezes decreases with distance, its efficacy hindered by urban environments, whereas vegetated lands prolong comfort inland. These insights are crucial for planning thermal environments in coastal cities. Full article

Individuals often adopt distinct behavioral patterns to adapt to different weather conditions. However, most studies on outdoor thermal comfort fail to consider weather variability and associated individual factors as interventions. This study conducted 12 days of field measurements and surveys across two residential areas in Wuhan, categorizing the sampled data based on background temperatures. Thermal benchmarks were developed for different age and gender groups under varying weather conditions, with comparative analyses conducted to evaluate differences in thermal comfort responses. With changes in outdoor temperature, the most comfortable thermal sensation in winter showed a wider fluctuation, ranging from 0.13 to 1.58, while in summer, it ranged between −1.76 and −1.18. The relationship between thermal sensation and comfort varied more significantly among different age groups in winter, while in summer, the differences were more evident between genders. As summer temperatures rose, younger and middle-aged individuals showed a greater increase in thermal sensitivity compared to the elderly. Similarly, males exhibited higher sensitivity than females. In terms of thermally acceptable temperatures, the upper limit was similar across age groups, around 35 °C. However, the lower limit varied as follows: the elderly had the lowest acceptable lower limit of around 0–3 °C; middle-aged individuals tolerated 4–7 °C higher; and young people tolerated 10–12 °C higher than the elderly. Between genders, the upper limit was also similar, but females tolerated 7–10 °C lower temperatures than males. In the context of outdoor thermal comfort studies in residential areas of Wuhan, the Universal Thermal Climate Index demonstrated better applicability than the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature. Overall, by analyzing thermal benchmark models for different demographic groups under varying weather conditions, this study enhances the understanding of how outdoor environments influence thermal comfort and provides valuable insights for targeted microclimate regulation and urban design strategies. Full article

This study investigates the influence of rear setback geometry and façade design parameters on microclimatic conditions, indoor thermal comfort, and energy performance in multi-story residential buildings in hot arid climates, addressing the growing need for climate-responsive design in regions with extreme temperatures and high solar radiation. Despite increasing interest in sustainable strategies, the combined effects of urban geometry and building envelope design remain underexplored in these environments. A coupled simulation framework was developed, integrating ENVI-met for outdoor microclimate modeling with Design Builder and EnergyPlus for dynamic building performance analysis. A total of 270 simulation scenarios were examined, combining three rear setback aspect ratios (1.5, 1.87, and 2.25), three window-to-wall ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%), three glazing types (single-, double-, and triple-pane), and two wall insulation states, using customized weather files derived from microclimate simulations. Global sensitivity analysis using rank regression and multivariate adaptive regression splines identified the glazing type as the most influential parameter (sensitivity index ≈ 0.99), especially for upper floors. At the same time, higher aspect ratios reduced peak Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) by up to 5 °C and decreased upper-floor cooling loads by 37%, albeit with a 9.3% increase in ground-floor cooling demand. Larger window-to-wall ratios lowered lighting energy consumption by up to 35% but had minimal impact on cooling loads, whereas wall insulation reduced annual cooling demand by up to 29,441 kWh. The results emphasize that integrating urban morphology with optimized façade components, particularly high-performance glazing and suitable aspect ratios, can significantly improve thermal comfort and reduce cooling energy consumption in hot arid residential contexts. Full article

In the context of growing climate change and more frequent heat extremes, tourism in Mediterranean cities like Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is becoming increasingly vulnerable. This study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the human bioclimatic conditions in Mostar using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) index, the modified PET (mPET), and the Climate-Tourism Information Scheme (CTIS), based on hourly meteorological data for the period 2000–2020. By applying the RayMan model, relevant bioclimatic parameters were calculated for three key times of day (07:00, 14:00, and 21:00 CET), and the results were analyzed in terms of seasonal and daily patterns of thermal stress. The most intense thermal stress was observed during summer afternoon hours, while the transitional seasons (spring and autumn) offer significantly more favorable conditions for tourist activities. A major contribution of this study is the creation of the first integrated bioclimatic information sheet for Mostar, which brings together PET, mPET, and CTIS outputs in accessible format tailored to local tourism needs. It serves as a scientifically based and practical tool for informing visitors and improving the planning of tourism activities in accordance with local climatic characteristics. Due to its visual clarity and ease of interpretation, the information sheet has strong potential for strategic adaptation in climate-sensitive tourism management. Full article

Carassius auratus exhibits significant physiological and behavioral alterations under the combined stress of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) fluctuations, which are common challenges in aquaculture. In this investigation, we employed controlled thermal and DO gradients to characterize the multidimensional response profile of this species. The key findings revealed that thermal elevation profoundly influenced blood glucose and cortisol concentrations. Notably, exposure to hyperoxic conditions markedly attenuated stress responses relative to hypoxia at equivalent temperatures: cortisol levels were significantly suppressed (reductions of 60.11%, 118.06%, and 34.72%), while blood glucose levels exhibited concurrent increases (16.42%, 26.43%, and 26.34%). Distinctive behavioral patterns, including floating head behavior, surface swimming behavior, and rollover behavior, were identified as indicative behaviors of thermal–oxygen stress. Molecular analysis demonstrated the upregulated expression of stress-associated genes (HSP70, HSP90, HIF-1α, and Prdx3), which correlated temporally with elevated cortisol and glucose concentrations and the manifestation of stress behaviors. Furthermore, a muscle texture assessment indicated that increased DO availability mitigated the textural deterioration induced by heat stress. Collectively, this work establishes an authentic biomarker framework, providing crucial threshold parameters essential for the development of intelligent, real-time environmental monitoring and dynamic regulation systems to enhance climate-resilient aquaculture management. Full article

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. Full article

This study aims to (1) analyze thermal comfort at outdoor sport events held outside of fixed venues or locations; (2) establish a method for evaluating environmental thermal comfort for large-scale, long-term outdoor activities; and (3) provide suggestions for the arrangement of shifts in routes and participants for heat warning and mitigation. Taiwan ReAnalysis Downscaling (TReAD) data, Sky View Factors (SVFs), GSV2SVF tool, and RayMan Pro were applied to analyze and evaluate thermal comfort at the 2021 Torch Relay Round the Island, Taiwan. In this study, modified Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (mPET), Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) were estimated and selected as thermal indicators for the purpose of obtaining a more comprehensive perspective. We also define and present thermal performance with a simple traffic light symbol (green: comfortable/yellow: warm/red: hot) and try to go beyond the concept of heat and visualize it in an easy-to-understand way. Full article

Air-quality standards (AQS) are key regulatory tools to protect public health by setting pollutant thresholds. However, most are based on sea-level data. High-altitude (HA) environments differ in atmospheric conditions, influencing pollutant behavior and human vulnerability. These differences have prompted proposals for altitude-specific AQS adjustments. This systematic review identifies models and criteria supporting such adaptations and examines regulatory air-quality frameworks in countries with substantial populations living at very high altitudes (VHA). This review follows PRISMA-P guidelines, focusing on studies examining AQS adjustment approaches based on altitude. The Population/Concept/Context (PCC) framework was used to define search terms: population (AQS), concept (air pollutants), and context (altitude), with equivalents. The literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Gale OneFile: Environmental Studies and Policy. A total of 2974 articles were identified, with 2093 remaining after duplicate removal. Following title and abstract screening, 2081 papers were excluded, leaving 12 for full-text evaluation. Ultimately, six studies met the eligibility criteria. Three studies focused on adjustment models based on atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and pressure changes, while the other three examined human physiological responses, particularly the increased inhaled air volume. China, Peru, and Bolivia have the largest populations living above 3500 m a.s.l., yet none of these countries have specific air-quality regulations tailored to HA conditions. The review underscores the necessity for tailored AQS in HA environments, highlighting specific criteria related to both atmospheric conditions and human physiological responses. Full article

Blue–green infrastructure is widely recognized for mitigating the urban heat island effect. However, most existing ENVI-met 5.6.1 studies focus on average thermal conditions and overlook fine-scale spatial gradients. This study investigates the urban park in Luoyang City by integrating high-resolution 3D ENVI-met simulations, multi-source data, and field measurements to quantify thermal gradients between park interiors and surrounding built-up areas. A midline cut-off approach was applied to extract horizontal and vertical thermal profiles. The results show that (1) temperature and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) differences are most pronounced at park edges and transition zones, where vegetation and water bodies serve as natural cooling buffers; (2) urban form indicators, especially the building coverage and open space ratio, significantly impact wind speed and the PET, with greenery improving thermal comfort via shading and evapotranspiration, while impervious surfaces intensify heat stress; (3) the park exhibits a distinct cold island effect, with the average PET in the core area up to 12.3 °C lower than in adjacent built-up zones. The effective cooling distance, which is identified through buffer-based zonal statistics, rapidly attenuates within approximately 200 m from the park boundary. These findings offer a novel spatial perspective on thermal regulation mechanisms of urban landscapes and provide quantitative evidence to guide the design of climate-resilient green infrastructure. Full article

Improving students’ thermal comfort in university courtyards and indoor spaces promotes walkability, enhances livability, and fosters social interaction among students. This study aims to improve students’ outdoor thermal comfort in university courtyards, to reduce heat transfer to classrooms, and to accordingly reduce energy consumption in university buildings in hot arid climates. Thus, the proposed coupled methodology for the case study, the Faculty of Agriculture, New Sohag University, Egypt, consists of three stages. First, monitoring and questionnaire surveys were conducted in the open courtyard and the classroom to obtain air temperature, wind speed, thermal image, and CO₂ and thermal comfort analysis. Secondly, the Envi-met model was used to investigate the impact of six improvement solutions on improving thermal comfort in the courtyard. Third, retrofitting strategies in the building envelope were evaluated to decrease heat transfer and energy consumption by DesignBuilder software. Consequently, the findings revealed a high outdoor air temperature, which causes discomfort for students. Hence, the simulation results concluded that the significant reduction of physiological equivalent temperature (PET), which ranged between 11.1 °C and 13.9 °C, occurred after applying the hybrid improvement solutions (vegetation area and semi-shading or pergola-shading). Moreover, integrating a combination of retrofitting strategies into the faculty buildings contributed to a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Ultimately, the proposed methodology aims to assist architects and urban designers in the early design stages by providing the appropriate environmental solutions for the universities’ courtyards and buildings in hot arid climates. Full article

This study aims to analyze how the climatic conditions in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil, influence sustainable tourism, with a specific focus on Climate–Tourism/Transfer–Information–Scheme (CTIS), Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), and rainfall patterns. It also compares these aspects with those of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro to identify climatic patterns, local challenges, and adaptive strategies relevant to the growing tourism context, based on hourly and monthly climate data from 2014 to 2024. The results show that João Pessoa presents a more stable thermal regime with fewer extreme heat events, yet consistently higher daytime PET values, especially between 9:00 and 15:00, throughout the year. The city also experiences a greater frequency of moderate-to-heavy rainfall during its defined wet season (April to July), often influenced by low-predictability atmospheric systems such as Easterly Wave Disturbances (EWDs). CTIS results confirm high climatic suitability for tourism and recreation during the dry season but reduced suitability during the rainy season. These findings suggest that integrating climate adaptation strategies into tourism planning, such as diversifying attractions beyond sun-and-beach tourism and improving real-time climate communication, may help reduce the impact of seasonal variability on visitor experience. Full article

Urbanization and climate change present increasing challenges to outdoor human thermal comfort, particularly in university campuses where academic, social, and recreational activities converge. This study assesses microclimatic risk factors along the main avenue of the NOVA FCT campus by analyzing outdoor human thermal comfort using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and modified PET (mPET) indices. Field measurements of air temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and radiation were conducted at multiple Points Of Interest (POIs) to evaluate thermal stress levels and identify critical zones of discomfort. Results indicate significant spatial and temporal variations in thermal stress, with sun-exposed areas (G2) experiencing PET values exceeding 50 °C, during peak summer hours, while shaded locations (G1) showed substantial thermal relief (PET reductions up to 27 °C between G1 and G2 POIs). Wind velocity and urban morphology played crucial roles in modulating microclimatic conditions. Wind velocity above 2.0 m/s was associated with perceptible thermal relief (3–8 °C PET/mPET reduction), especially in narrow, shaded passages. Significant spatial variability was observed, linked to differences in urban morphology, surface materials, and vegetation coverage. This research provides actionable insights for urban planners and campus administrators, contributing to the development of more sustainable and thermally comfortable outdoor environments in educational settings. Full article

Climate change amplifies heat wave effects on outdoor thermal comfort by increasing their frequency, duration, and intensity. The urban heat island effect worsens heat risks in cities and impacts resilience. Nature-based solution (NBS) with tree plantation was reported as an effective mitigation measure. This simulation study, by the well-validated ENVI-met model, aimed to investigate the impact of different tree planting strategies and building parameters on urban heat risk mitigation and microclimate during a typical hot summer day. Hypothetical skyscrapers and super high-rise buildings were assumed in the study site located in southern China. Adopting meteorological inputs from a typical year, the simulation results revealed that both mean radiant temperature (T_mrt) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) were elevated (T_mrt > 60 °C and PET > 50 °C) in early afternoon in sunlit areas. Three mitigation approaches with different tree planting locations were investigated. While all approaches demonstrated effective cooling (PET down to <35 °C) in the proximity of trees, a superior approach for mitigating the heat risks was not evident. Within the building array, the shade of bulky structures also lowered T_mrt and PET to a thermally comfortable level in the late afternoon. Combining open-space tree planting with optimized building designs is recommended to mitigate heat risks and enhance urban resilience while promoting outdoor activities and their health benefits. Full article