Post-occupancy Evaluation with Emphasis on Thermal Comfort: A Case Study in Public Squares

Abstract

Abstract:The article presents a case study about thermal comfort in two public squares located in the coastal region of southeastern Brazil, within a post-occupational assessment context where it was sought to estimate the thermal sensation and perception of the users generating systematized knowledge about the built environment. The objective is to instruct future interventions for improvement in the living condition where it is particularly important for the success of the activities predicted there. Surveys on thermal comfort along with goers of the squares were held on three consecutive days in April 2013 and February 2014 with microclimate monitoring of the places adopting the predictive PET (physiological equivalent temperature) index calculated based on the bioclimatic model Rayman. The obtained data set generated valuable information about the pattern of thermal comfort allowing understanding the analytical correlations between PET index, climate variables and the perception of comfort. The article seeks to contribute towards the recognition of bioclimatic specificities in the project process aimed to the improvement of the environmental and social performance of public squares and aspects that are relevant to the urban planners.