2020 Theses Master's

Thermal Comfort Design in Public Outdoor Space: The Influence of Spatial Configuration and Implications in Urban Design

Gao, Yuan

Outdoor public space is critical to urban living, and parks serve as valuable assets for all citizens. As there exist extensive research and design practices of urban public areas, the microclimate conditions are essential to thermal comfort at the local level. However, the data collection at this scale is missing, and the current planning paradigm is inadequate to evaluate and respond to local needs for public space quickly. The the- sis, focusing on the research gap, adopts a simulation approach to study the influence of spatial configuration. The study first simulated the current design of Paley Park in New York City, combining holistic climate simulation software and digital modeling programs. The validity of the simulation model is completed by comparing the field measurement and simulated output. Further, the study proposes the design iterations of built environment features and construct comparisons between sets of design scenarios. Based on both graphic and numeric results, the research proves the significant roles of vegetation and optimal methods to maximize the thermal effect. Besides, the research also propos- es a model-based modification method for space design. These findings provide a new, predictive framework for the local scale urban design, and help offer better guidelines for urban pocket park design.