Microclimatic analysis of outdoor thermal comfort of high-rise buildings with different configurations in Tehran: Insights from field surveys and thermal comfort indices

This study investigates the microenvironment of open-air settings in Tehran, Iran, and explores the relationship between different thermal comfort indices, including PMV, PET, and TSV. The research was conducted in district 22 over a 16-day period using microclimatic measurements and questionnaire surveys. The analysis of 680 questionnaires provides valuable insights into the most and least comfortable thermal conditions and the limitations of PMV in assessing thermal sensations above 30 °C in several scenarios. The study recommends the use of non-linear regression formulas in anticipating thermal comfort during excessively hot circumstances and emphasizes notable distinctions between the primary heat stress classifications and the ones established in this research. The study suggests the need for revising heat stress classifications to assess outdoor thermal conditions in Tehran. The research also acknowledges the complexity of outdoor thermal satisfaction and recommends future studies that delve into the influence of diverse parameters on outdoor thermal comfort in distinct seasons.