Speaker
Description
High-quality community public spaces are vital for fostering social interaction and improving the physical and mental well-being of elderly residents. Among various factors influencing the quality of these spaces, outdoor thermal comfort stands out as a critical indicator. Thermal comfort arises from the dynamic interaction between the built environment and thermal conditions, primarily governed by microclimatic parameters (wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity, and mean radiant temperature) and physiological factors (clothing insulation and metabolic rate). Variations in microclimatic conditions across different outdoor public spaces, combined with individual differences such as age, health status, and living habits, lead to diverse thermal comfort experiences. Compared to younger individuals, elderly residents encounter distinct challenges in achieving outdoor thermal comfort. With aging and declining health, their sensitivity to temperature fluctuations diminishes, and their thermoregulatory capacity weakens, rendering them more vulnerable to microclimatic changes and extreme weather conditions. This vulnerability is particularly pronounced in individuals with age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and diabetes. As a result, elderly residents rely heavily on the optimization of community public space environments to enhance their thermal comfort. This study investigates an aging community in Shanghai, focusing on seven community green spaces as research sites. Field measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted on typical summer and winter days to collect environmental parameters and thermal sensation vote (TSV) data from elderly residents. An ordered Probit regression model was employed to analyze the seasonal effects of physiological, psychological, and environmental parameters on the thermal sensations of elderly residents. The results reveal that elderly residents exhibit a diminished perception of high-temperature risks. In summer, thermal comfort votes are primarily influenced by air temperature, while in winter, mean radiant temperature exerts a more significant impact. Further analysis indicates that satisfaction with community public spaces is influenced by the seasonal thermal comfort of both destination nodes and the walking paths leading to them. In summer, improvements in the thermal comfort of both nodes and paths significantly enhance satisfaction. However, in winter, only the thermal comfort of paths demonstrates a significant positive effect on satisfaction. This study highlights the seasonal variability in the impacts of thermal environment optimization strategies and provides theoretical insights to inform the design and planning of community public spaces, thereby enhancing thermal comfort for elderly residents.
| Keywords | Outdoor thermal comfort; thermal sensation vote; aging community; Shanghai |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
