The perception, optimization strategies and prospects of outdoor thermal comfort in China: A review

Thermal comfort plays an important role in the urban living environment and is not a given to be defined but a goal to be sought—the weather, human behaviors, and urban features (e.g. vegetation, buildings, vehicles and pavement) interact and influence thermal comfort. This study offers a review of 123 studies that investigate outdoor thermal comfort in China, with a particular focus on reviewing the scope of thermal perception, thermal indices, and outdoor thermal optimization strategies in terms of the underlying surfaces and the study parameters. PET, PMV, UTCI, SET* are the four most commonly used thermal comfort indices. Greening strategies, building parameters, pavement configuration, air quality, and transportation affect the urban outdoor thermal environment, thus influencing the behavioral activities of residents, as well as urban energy consumption. Our study is unique in several aspects. First, this study reviewed the status quo of outdoor thermal comfort studies in China. Second, science mapping was utilized. Third, the authors of this paper implemented a holistic and critical review to provide a comprehensive understanding of outdoor human thermal comfort in China and summarized the feasible optimization methods. Moreover, the use of technical quantitative analysis and manual qualitative review guarantees more reliable conclusions. •One of the first attempts to review outdoor thermal comfort studies in China.•123 articles center on outdoor thermal comfort in China have been reviewed.•It is desirable to study both neutral temperature and preferred temperature.•Vegetation, buildings, pavement and vehicles are the main thermal-related factors.•Combination of different urban factors result in varied thermal effects.