Heterogeneity in outdoor comfort assessment in urban public spaces

The assessment of outdoor comfort can provide valuable insights into the quality urban public spaces. Rational indices based on heat-balance model have been extensively used for assessing thermal in various environments a long time. However, growing body literature is arguing theoretical limitations rational indices, including lack contextual considerations and non-consideration active role human being. Furthermore, well-documented inconsistency previous investigations suggests individuals' heterogeneous expectations, preferences adaptations typically depend person-related place-related contexts. Nevertheless, study heterogeneity remains fragmentary. In an attempt to incorporate comprehensive conceptual framework comfort, this develops latent class path empirical data 701 respondents from Eindhoven, Netherlands. We identified two classes associated with different causal structures underlying comfort. Meanwhile, membership respondents' socio-demographic behavioral covariates. results show that, respect influence assessment, exogenous endogenous variables are varying effectiveness strength between classes. Latent 1 assesses mainly sensation expectations wind conditions, whereas 2 comprehensively considered both non-thermal influences, especially, psychological acceptability need satisfaction activity. Our findings suggest addition expanded study, understanding perception needed address approaches archive comfortable spaces design, planning management practices.