Thermal Experience and Perception of the Built Environment in Dutch Urban Squares

Abstract

Thermal comfort is an important issue to be considered in the design of urban squares. This study hypothesized that thermal experience can be affected by the perception of spatial structures and materials, which can be influenced by urban design. Therefore, surveys were conducted in three Dutch squares (in Den Haag, Eindhoven and Groningen, respectively) to identify relationships between people's long-term thermal experience and three factors: width of the square, spatial openness and appearance of materials. The results reveal that all three factors have an influence: Dutch people experience thermal discomfort when spaces are ‘too wide’, ‘too open’ and consist of ‘cold’ materials.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Sjerp de Vries for helping to set up the questionnaires and for preparing the statistical analyses. Nickie van der Wulp conducted this research while working as a landscape appreciation researcher at Alterra Wageningen UR