Meta-analysis of outdoor thermal comfort surveys in different European cities using the RUROS database: The role of background climate and gender

Systematic comparisons of subjective thermal assessments among different geographical locations and between genders are quite limited. This paper presents a meta-analysis using the data comprehensive European outdoor comfort (OTC) surveys. The aim is to reveal common traits major differences regarding perception sun preference residents in cities while taking great emphasis on role genders. analysis relies RUROS (Rediscovering Urban Realm Open Spaces) project which was conducted seven cities, Hungarian OTC project. Only acclimatized local were considered reflect possibly cultural population investigated cities. resulted neutral temperature values – expressed terms Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) determined by means regression showed strong correlation with long-term climatic characteristics, narrower zone found at those where annual amplitude small. Inhabitants sunny warm did not prefer more sunshine even when actual value low, amount low people greater preference. women perceive conditions as under slightly warmer than men sensitivity changes environmental conditions. evidenced PET females stronger their solar radiation.