This paper presents a cross comparison between laboratorial and field research in thermal comfort for outdoor urban areas. The aim of this research study is to make a comparative analysis of the data from of empirical laboratory and field databases, collected in the city of São Paulo. In order to do so, predictive models developed, adapted or used in outdoor thermal comfort studies were considered. At the same time, these models also underwent a comparative analysis, leading to the indication of those with more significant results for different applications. The method adopted is empirical, through laboratory- and field data collection (microclimatic, personal and subjective variables), supported by computer simulations (29 indices related to 20 predictive models). The results of thermal sensation perception in the Bairro da Luz (field study) showed to be less predictable than those obtained in Cidade Universitária (laboratory study). With regards to the indices, the heat load, the temperature of equivalent perception, and the new corrected effective temperature presented the most significant results, and their application is suggested.
Thermal comfort; Outdoors; Predictive models
