Subjective Assessment of Thermal Outdoor Comfort in Downtown Guelma During Summer Heatwave

Abstract

The assessment of the outdoor thermal comfort should consider the interrelationships between the thermal conditions outdoors, the psychological responses of users and physiological phenomena. The aim of our study is to subjectively assess thermal outdoor comfort in downtown Guelma during summer heatwave. The scientific methodology is based on the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, to do so we have conducted a survey questionnaire in parallel with a field microclimatic measurement during the heat wave period. As a result, we assessed the thermal sensation of the three parameters, air temperature, relative humidity and air speed for six sessions from 09:00 to 21:00. As well as, the thermal acceptability, the thermal comfort levels and the thermal preferences for each session. The findings indicate that the subjective assessment of the outdoor thermal comfort makes it possible to conclude on the effect caused by the urban thermal environment in space and time.