Outdoor thermal comfort of urban plaza space under thermoacoustic interactions –Taking Datang Everbright City as an example

Abstract

The comfort of urban square environments in terms of thermal and acoustic conditions directly influences the quality of people's travel experiences and their overall well-being. This study, represented by Xi'an Datang Everbright City, investigates the impact of thermal-acoustic environments on human comfort in cold regions of China. Four typical spaces within the city square were selected for meteorological measurements and subjective questionnaire surveys to gauge the thermal perception of active crowds. Using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) as a thermal benchmark, the study compares the interaction between thermal conditions and acoustic environments. Results indicate that the neutral UTCI in Xi'an urban squares is 14.9 °C, with a neutral UTCI range of 10.8∼19.0 °C and a preferred temperature of 17.1 °C. Positive types of sounds moderately reduce thermal sensation. Moderate environmental sounds alleviate thermal discomfort to some extent among respondents. In environments such as birdsong and flowing water, people prefer higher temperatures, thereby increasing thermal tolerance. Conversely, in noise from traffic or construction, individuals prefer lower temperatures, reducing their thermal tolerance. In environments with broadcasts or conversations, respondents exhibit slightly higher thermal tolerance compared to the average neutral temperature. Finally, based on meteorological characteristics at different survey points and respondent feedback, optimization strategies for design are proposed.