Thermal Comfort Evaluation in Urban Open Public Space with Emphasis on Strengthening Social Relations, Quds Neighborhood, Zahedan

Public open spaces in residential areas of cities are one of the fields for the social interactions. Hence, the climatic and geometric characteristics of urban open spaces must be harmonious and facilitate social relations. This is doubly important, especially in hot and arid environments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the thermal comfort of urban open space and its influential components in strengthening social relations in the old neighborhood of Quds neighborhood in Zahedan.

The present paper is applied in terms of purpose and experimental-correlation in terms of method. To evaluate the thermal comfort of the outdoor spaces, physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and predicted mean votes (PMV) based RayMan model and universal thermal comfort index (UTCI) based on BioKlima model have been used. A new mathematical model is then proposed based on the correlation relations between environmental variables and individual subjective responses. Field studies including measuring meteorological parameters, thermal environment perception, and geometry of urban open space are the final part of this research.

Findings showed that the time range of urban outdoor thermal comfort in Quds neighborhood is abundant in the afternoon in summer. The afternoon microclimate is dependent on the fabric of the neighborhood and has the potential to enhance social interactions. The proposed mathematical model for estimating thermal comfort in hot and arid environments based on the correlation of environmental variables and actual sensation vote (ASV) is well able to express an actual thermal sensation of outdoor spaces.

Therefore, in order to take the necessary measures to develop and promote the social interactions of the neighborhood, physical infrastructure such as outdoor furniture development and neighborhood social institutions should be strengthened. The results of these measures can reduce the urban social harms.