Outdoor thermal comfort and urban design in warm-humid Guayaquil, Ecuador

Deteriorated urban microclimate and poor outdoor thermal comfort is an increasing problem in cities in the tropics due to the combined effect of urban and global warming. Microclimate measurements (wind speed, air temperature and humidity, and globe temperature) were carried out in different parts of the warm-humid city Guayaquil, Ecuador. Simultaneously about 400 persons were asked for their subjective external thermal comfort experiences. The study was carried out during the rainy season in public areas of the city centre (park and waterfront), residential neighbourhood and university campus. The results show that many parts of Guayaquil have a poor microclimate. A comparison between different thermal comfort indices and actual sensation votes indicated that the people of Guayaquil accept higher temperatures and humidity conditions than found in studies in colder climates. There was thus evidence of thermal adaptation and suggest some relation between the thermal environment and the use of the places. This was most evident in the park. Some ways to improve the urban design of public and residential areas in the city of Guayaquil are proposed. The seventh International Conference on Urban Climate, 29 June 3 July 2009, Yokohama, Japan