The Integration of Human Thermal Comfort in an Outdoor Campus Landscape in a Tropical Climate

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study and compare outdoor spaces with different cooling devices in the tropical climate of the city campus in the CBD of Bangkok, Thailand. The study aimed to find the most comfortable outdoor space on a green campus, referring to the UI Green Metric World University Ranking indicators, with a case study of Chulalongkorn University, which is a wet, tropical area in the city center. The ratio of the area on campus that is covered with planted vegetation (lawns, gardens) is provided as a percentage of the total site area and is the subject of comparison. In particular, the microclimate seems to be an important criterion of the physical design features of an outdoor space: a) with cooling devices, such as shading and fountains, and b) without cooling devices, such as pavement and open lawn. The cooling effect of these devices, which are evaluated by the thermal comfort measurement results, responded according to the tropical environment of the campus. This study explains the micro/macroclimatic effects of the landscape features. The survey measured the meteorological conditions of the outdoor spaces. The study determined that the shortwave solar radiation and longwave radiation from different materials should play an important role in a new paradigm for green design and planning.

Campus Planning and Design across Southeast Asia: A Scoping Literature Review from 2002-2022

“…A holistic decision-making process that considers the social, economic, and environmental impacts of campus activities should guide the design and management of campus facilities and operations showed to be the dominant theme for Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The emphasis on creating sustainable and green campuses aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SGD 15 (Life on Land) which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (Aruninta et al, 2018;Budihardjo et al, 2021). This is supported by inclusive and supportive campus environments that prioritize accessibility, safety, and social interaction foster a sense of community and belonging, promoting student engagement and wellness (Hertz et al,2018).…”

“…This aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages and designing inclusive and supportive campus environments aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education). By prioritizing sustainable practices, inclusion, and exposure to nature, campuses can enhance the living quality and academic performance of their students while promoting environmental responsibility ecological significance adaptation and outdoor thermal comfort through leveraging on the tropical climate conditions (Aruninta et al, 2018: Orbon et al, 2018.…”

Towards Meaningful University Space: Perceptions of the Quality of Open Spaces for Students

“…[23] The meteorological conditions. [24] Thermal perception of outdoor urban spaces. [25] Thermal comfort of outdoor urban spaces.…”

Importance and Benefits of Green Audits to Education Institutions and Industrial Sectors

“…A hygienic and hale and hearty atmosphere is responsible for improving the effectiveness of the teaching/learning process. Environmental education must be used on a regular basis to raise awareness about the importance of green activities among students and researchers [4]. Green auditing is the most efficient and environmentally friendly method of dealing with environmental issues [5,6].…”