Abstract

ROSSI, Francine Aidie; KRUGER, Eduardo Leite  and  BRODE, Peter. Definition of thermal comfort and discomfort ranges for open spaces in Curitiba, PR, with the UCTI index. Ambient. constr. [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.1, pp. 41-59. ISSN 1678-8621.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1678-86212012000100004.

Under the assumption that urban planning and alterations in open spaces are able to promote the improvement of outdoor thermal conditions and thus positively influence the use of open spaces, a survey was conducted to analyse the thermal comfort of passers-by in pedestrian streets in Curitiba, Paraná. This article aims to define ranges of thermal comfort and thermal discomfort for Curitiba, using the UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) index for local climatic conditions from acceptable percentages of dissatisfied people in open spaces. An analysis was made of a sample of climatic and personal data gathered from field monitoring campaigns in pedestrian streets. The results indicate that the UTCI thermal index was a good predictor for the existing sample and that differences regarding gender, age and body mass were negligible. From the thermal sensation analyses, the following ranges are suggested for thermal comfort and discomfort: discomfort due to cold, Ta < 15ºC; comfort, 15ºC < Ta < 24ºC; and discomfort due to heat, Ta > 24ºC. The UTCI analysis showed the need for calibration for climatic conditions similar to those of Curitiba: discomfort due to cold, Ta < 15ºC; comfort, 15ºC < Ta < 27ºC and discomfort due to heat, Ta > 27ºC.

Keywords : Thermal comfort in open spaces; Comfort indices; UTCI.