Photographic comparison: a method for qualitative outdoor thermal perception surveys

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Urban Planning
• Human-Building Interaction

Background:

• Outdoor thermal comfort is crucial for public space usability.
• Understanding the influence of materials and vegetation on thermal perception is key.
• Existing research often relies on direct measurements or interviews, lacking visual subjective input.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate photographic comparison as a method for assessing outdoor thermal perception.
• To explore how visual interpretation of thermal environments can triangulate survey data.
• To determine the value of visual appraisal in qualitative thermal comfort research.

Main Methods:

• Conducted an outdoor thermal perception survey combining objective and subjective parameters.
• Utilized microclimatic measurements, observations, interviews, and a questionnaire.
• Presented respondents with three unedited photographs of diverse outdoor public spaces for visual appraisal.

Main Results:

• Respondents' photographic choices for comfortable/uncomfortable spaces correlated with their questionnaire answers.
• Visual interpretations of thermal environments in photographs aided in triangulating in situ data.
• The study demonstrated the potential for interpreting thermal comfort from visual cues in images.

Conclusions:

• Photographic comparison is a valuable qualitative tool for outdoor thermal perception surveys.
• This visual method enriches data by incorporating subjective interpretations of thermal environments.
• Future research can leverage visual appraisal to enhance understanding of human-thermal interactions in urban spaces.