Study on Xiamen’s Spring and Winter Thermal Comfort of Outdoor Sports Space in the Residential Community

Abstract

In humid subtropical areas, outdoor sports activities in winter and spring are very common. However, there is minimal research surrounding this topic, especially in terms of thermal comfort. This study explored the complex relationship between microclimate and human thermal comfort during various types of outdoor sports activities through a series of outdoor thermal experiments and analysis. The results indicated that (1) in winter and spring, the WBGT comfort threshold for outdoor sports space was 14.6–21.7 °C; (2) the WBGT comfort ranges when doing low-, moderate- and high-intensity physical activities were 13.7–26.2 °C, 14.5–24.0 °C, and 16.0–22.0 °C; (3) air temperature (Ta), G (global radiation) and relative humidity (RH) were the main thermal comfort influencing factors, which varied from the intensities of physical activities; (4) in winter, it was more comfortable to be slightly warm, while in spring, it was more comfortable to be neutral; (5) the ground materials, sunshine and vegetation coverage of outdoor sports space had a significant impact on adjusting Ta; (6) in addition to thermal comfort, factors such as time, weather, variety and quantity of outdoor sports spaces and facilities, high visual comfort, good accessibility, strong safety, regular maintenance of the space and facilities and the sharing level of outdoor sports spaces all had a major impact on outdoor sports activities; (7) semi-outdoor spaces with roofs should be considered next to outdoor sports spaces.

Keywords

• outdoor thermal comfort
• outdoor sports space
• residential communities
• humid subtropical areas
• winter and spring
• WBGT comfort threshold