3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
[AAS01-01] Thermal comfort improvement in urban streets using parasols and hats
Keywords:Thermal comfort improvement, Urban streets, Parasol
Heat stroke is a social issue in urban areas, because of global warming and urban heat island. A mitigation method to avoid excessive heat stress in uncomfortable thermal environments is wearing parasols and hats. As parasols and hats are mobile and inexpensive, wearing them can provide thermal comfort improvement during walking in urban areas. However, there are few previous studies on the effect of thermal comfort improvement with parasols and hats, and quantitative comparisons with other mitigation methods have not been conducted.
This study intercompared the improvement methods by parasols, hats, street trees and dry-mist on a real urban street in Japan. For this intercomparison, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was observed under various improvement measures. The results of this observation showed that street trees, parasols, hats, and dry-mist were more effective in improving thermal comfort, in that order. The effect with parasols on the reduction of UTCI was 5.3°C. This means that the stress category of UTCI is reduced from "Very strong heat stress" to "Strong heat stress". Also, the improvement effect with parasols was comparable to approximately 70% of the effect with street trees. On the other hand, the effect of wearing hats on the reduction was 2.3°C.
This study intercompared the improvement methods by parasols, hats, street trees and dry-mist on a real urban street in Japan. For this intercomparison, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was observed under various improvement measures. The results of this observation showed that street trees, parasols, hats, and dry-mist were more effective in improving thermal comfort, in that order. The effect with parasols on the reduction of UTCI was 5.3°C. This means that the stress category of UTCI is reduced from "Very strong heat stress" to "Strong heat stress". Also, the improvement effect with parasols was comparable to approximately 70% of the effect with street trees. On the other hand, the effect of wearing hats on the reduction was 2.3°C.