Thermal Comfort in Urban Areas: Comparing Numerical Results with Citizens’ Perspectives. A Case Study in Trento, Italy

Thermal comfort is increasingly becoming an urgent concern due to the rising temperatures in urban areas affecting liveability and health. This study aims to investigate microclimate conditions and outdoor thermal comfort in the historical center of Trento, Italy. A mixed-method approach was adopted for this purpose based on microclimate monitoring, simulations and surveys with citizens. Quantitative and qualitative findings are made spatially explicit and compared in the study area. The former are based on microclimate simulations carried out with the ENVI-met software for a hot summer day showing areas more exposed to heat stress, and validated through the on-site monitoring. The latter involves an online survey where citizens could point out thermally comfortable and uncomfortable places providing perceived hotspots. Areas do not always overlap mainly because mental schemes are also determined by frequency of visits, type of activity and long-term memory. Areas that overlap may be the most prone to the implementation of adaptation measures. The study provides results that can be useful for planners and decision-makers in improving thermal comfort in urban areas.