Influence of university campus spatial morphology on outdoor thermal environment: A case study from Eastern China

Outdoor thermal comfort is crucial for creating sustainable and livable urban spaces. Studying the distribution and impact factors of the thermal environment can provide theoretical support for improving the thermal environment and spatial planning. This study investigates the influence of well-defined boundary spaces on outdoor thermal comfort and proposes design measures to improve spatial thermal comfort. High-resolution data obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is integrated into outdoor microclimate simulations to enhance the accuracy and precision of the models. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index is employed as an evaluation indicator, considering the categorization of PET values into different comfort levels. Additionally, the axial evaluation method is introduced to assess thermal comfort more accurately, reflecting the perceived thermal comfort by individuals. Through a case study in a mixed-use and clear boundary area, the research identifies the variables that influence outdoor thermal comfort and provides design guidelines to enhance spatial thermal comfort. The correlations between the spatial morphology index and PET were analyzed by multiple regression. The findings contribute to the understanding of outdoor thermal comfort in complex urban environments and offer valuable insights for the design and planning of comfortable and sustainable outdoor spaces.