• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.12-20
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort by spatial structure and to explore solutions to improve the thermal environment of a small urban space. The study site was Korea University campus. Thermal conditions were measured to evaluate the quality of the thermal environment in each type of space within the study site. Micrometeorology measurements, analysis of space characteristics for using fish-eye lens photography, and thermal comfort modeling through the use of collected meteorological data, such as temperature and humidity, were performed. Results showed that the level of thermal comfort for humans differs depending on the types of space within the study site. Thermal comfort is better in open spaces than enclosed in the aspect of radiative mean temperature, Predicted Mean Vote(PMV), and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature(PET). This fact is probably due to shadows or buildings or trees that may block solar radiation. Thus, it is necessary to consider the spatial arrangements of buildings and trees to enhance openness and ventilation in the space. Paving materials and exterior building materials should also be selected to lower the radiant temperature. Given these results, a quantitative evaluation on human thermal comfort could propose a way to plan user comfortable small urban spaces. Study methods used and results provided in the study can promote a better way for urban space planning direction to improve environmental quality.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2020

For investigating restriction in the use of computer modeling results without adjusting them with measured data, this study analyzed and compared microclimatic aspects and human thermal sensation between in situ measurement and computer modeling using ENVI-met in and around a small urban park of downtown Changwon in May, 2012. In the results, ENVI-met underestimated air temperatures and wind speeds than the measured ones and overestimated relative humidities. In the radiation analysis, ENVI-met overestimated solar radiation from the sky hemisphere and terrestrial radiation from the ground hemisphere and underestimated terrestrial radiation from the sky hemisphere. Also, the differences of mean radiant temperatures with the measured ones reached up to 19.6℃ which could create an 1.2 PMV difference. ENVI-met overestimated up to 2.3 PMV and 4℃ UTCI at 12:00. The difference was shown clearly in PMV than in UTCI. Therefore, when computer modeling is used in urban microclimate and human thermal sensation (comfort) studies the modeling results should be compared with measured data and adjusted adequately to adopt the results to urban and landscape planning and design.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to quantify human energy budgets for different structures of outdoor spatial surfaces affecting thermal comfort, to analyze the impacts of tree shading on building energy savings, and to suggest desirable strategies of urban greenspace planning concerned. Concrete paving and grass spaces without tree shading and compacted-sand spaces with tree shading were selected to reflect archetypal compositional types for outdoor spatial materials. The study then estimated human energy budgets in static activity for the 3 space types. Major determinants of energy budgets were the presence of shading and also the albedo and temperature of base surfaces. The energy budgets for concrete paving and grass spaces without tree shading were $284\;W/m^2$ and $226\;W/m^2$, respectively, and these space types were considerably poor in thermal comfort. Therefore, it is desirable to construct outdoor resting spaces with evapotranspirational shade trees and natural materials for the base plane. Building energy savings from tree shading for the case of Daegu in the southern region were quantified using computer modeling programs and compared with a previous study for Chuncheon in the middle region. Shade trees planted to the west of a building were most effective for annual savings of heating and cooling energy. Plantings of shade trees in the south should be avoided, because they increased heating energy use with cooling energy savings low in both climate regions. A large shade tree in the west and east saved cooling energy by 1~2% across building types and regions. Based on previous studies and these results, some strategies including indicators for urban greenspace planning were suggested to improve thermal comfort of outdoor spaces and to save energy use in indoor spaces. These included thermal comfort in construction materials for outdoor spaces, building energy savings through shading, evapotranspiration and windspeed mitigation by greenspaces, and greenspace areas and volume for air-temperature reductions. In addition, this study explored the application of the strategies to greenspace-related regulations to ensure their effectiveness.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2016

Purpose: PMV, PET, and similar thermal comfort indices and microclimate modeling have recently become actively used to evaluate thermal comfort. This study will look at pedestrian roads with diverse spatial characteristics on university campus using the ENVI-met model as the base for onsite measurement. Method: The PET was used as the thermal comfort index. The first microclimate measures were collected on September 20, 2014, and the second microclimate measures were collected on June 1, 2015. The ENVI-met model was used at the same time. Result: As a results, Onsite measurement results differed depending on the PET spatial characteristics. The location associated with the most discomfort had a PET of $47.8^{\circ}C$. The spatial characteristics of this place included a with no shade. The most comfortable location had shade, and the PET was $24.6^{\circ}C$. When the ENVI-met model and onsite measurements were compared, similar patterns were found, but with a few differences at specific points; this was due to the limitation of using input materials such as trees, buildings, and covering materials with the ENVI-met model. This factor must be thoroughly considered when analyzing modeling results.