How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends

IntroductionWith increasing urbanization, the frequency of extreme weather events, and the intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, there is a growing concern about outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in urban and rural spaces. However, previous OTC studies have been dominated by empiric...

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Main Authors: Yuan Li, Wenyi Fei, Mengsheng Yang, Yingfeng Wang, Yanan Du, Yaomei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1552994/full
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author Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Wenyi Fei
Wenyi Fei
Mengsheng Yang
Mengsheng Yang
Yingfeng Wang
Yingfeng Wang
Yanan Du
Yanan Du
Yaomei Wang
Yaomei Wang
author_facet Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Wenyi Fei
Wenyi Fei
Mengsheng Yang
Mengsheng Yang
Yingfeng Wang
Yingfeng Wang
Yanan Du
Yanan Du
Yaomei Wang
Yaomei Wang
author_sort Yuan Li
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionWith increasing urbanization, the frequency of extreme weather events, and the intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, there is a growing concern about outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in urban and rural spaces. However, previous OTC studies have been dominated by empirical case studies of regional sample points and have lacked systematic large-scale exploration within a certain region.MethodsThis study used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and bibliometric tools to statisticians the sources, keywords, content and highly cited papers of OTC studies.ResultsBased on the quantitative results, this study sorts and organizes OTC research from characterization, methods, and research trends, and summarizes the following results: (1) Universal thermal climate index (UTCI) is relatively suitable for large-scale OTC research; (2) The combination of subjectivity and objectivity with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the current cutting-edge research method of OTC; (3) Local climate zone (LCZ) classification system has a potential to be used in future large-scale OTC research has application potential.DiscussionBased on the collated results of previous studies, this study proposes a framework for large-scale OTC study to provide necessary theoretical support and practical guidance for future urban planning and construction, which will help optimize the urban environment and improve the thermal comfort and quality of life of residents.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
spelling doaj-art-3f4aabbc5e8449fc94308afd339e36812025-08-20T01:49:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Cities2624-96342025-03-01710.3389/frsc.2025.15529941552994How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trendsYuan Li0Yuan Li1Yuan Li2Wenyi Fei3Wenyi Fei4Mengsheng Yang5Mengsheng Yang6Yingfeng Wang7Yingfeng Wang8Yanan Du9Yanan Du10Yaomei Wang11Yaomei Wang12School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaGulangyu Research Center, Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Social Science Research Base, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen Key Laboratory of Integrated Application of Intelligent Technology for Architectural Heritage Protection, Xiamen, ChinaIntroductionWith increasing urbanization, the frequency of extreme weather events, and the intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, there is a growing concern about outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in urban and rural spaces. However, previous OTC studies have been dominated by empirical case studies of regional sample points and have lacked systematic large-scale exploration within a certain region.MethodsThis study used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and bibliometric tools to statisticians the sources, keywords, content and highly cited papers of OTC studies.ResultsBased on the quantitative results, this study sorts and organizes OTC research from characterization, methods, and research trends, and summarizes the following results: (1) Universal thermal climate index (UTCI) is relatively suitable for large-scale OTC research; (2) The combination of subjectivity and objectivity with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the current cutting-edge research method of OTC; (3) Local climate zone (LCZ) classification system has a potential to be used in future large-scale OTC research has application potential.DiscussionBased on the collated results of previous studies, this study proposes a framework for large-scale OTC study to provide necessary theoretical support and practical guidance for future urban planning and construction, which will help optimize the urban environment and improve the thermal comfort and quality of life of residents.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1552994/fulloutdoor thermal comfortlarge-scaleuniversal thermal climate indexlocal climate zonesystematic reviews
spellingShingle Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Yuan Li
Wenyi Fei
Wenyi Fei
Mengsheng Yang
Mengsheng Yang
Yingfeng Wang
Yingfeng Wang
Yanan Du
Yanan Du
Yaomei Wang
Yaomei Wang
How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
outdoor thermal comfort
large-scale
universal thermal climate index
local climate zone
systematic reviews
title How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
title_full How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
title_fullStr How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
title_full_unstemmed How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
title_short How to realize large-scale outdoor thermal comfort studies? A systematic review based on OTC characterization, methods and research trends
title_sort how to realize large scale outdoor thermal comfort studies a systematic review based on otc characterization methods and research trends
topic outdoor thermal comfort
large-scale
universal thermal climate index
local climate zone
systematic reviews
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2025.1552994/full
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