Interactive effect between long-term and short-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort: comparison between Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Melbourne

Abstract Thermal history can influence human thermal comfort through physiological (short-term) and psychological (long-term) aspects. However, the nature of the interaction between long-term and short-term thermal history is unclear. To investigate the interactive effects of long-term and short-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort, we conducted summer thermal comfort surveys in Melbourne (n = 3293, January–February 2014), Guangzhou, and Zhuhai (n = 4304, September 2018). The mean thermal sensation of residents of Guangzhou was higher than that of Melbourne and Zhuhai residents under a similar universal thermal climate index (UTCI) range. The preferred UTCI was the highest for Melbourne residents (19.62 °C). When UTCI was 25.6 – 38.4 °C, respondents' mean thermal sensation from Koppen climate zones A, B, and C was significantly higher in Guangzhou than those of Zhuhai and Melbourne. A three-way ANOVA test revealed that peoples’ thermal sensations depended on a significant interaction among UTCI thermal stress levels, climate zones, and prior exposure environment. The prior exposure environment could affect the difference in thermal perception between climate zones. However, there was no significant interaction between climate zones and activity engaged in before taking the survey on thermal sensation. The difference in the thermal perception of various climate zones diminished under universally uncomfortable conditions for specific prior exposure environments and activities. The socio-ecological system model, environmental perception theory, climatocultural adaptation, and alliesthesia are useful for understanding the interactive effect of long- and short-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort. By revealing how people adapt to different climatic environments, our results can help ensure that people with diverse climatic backgrounds can experience thermal comfort outdoors.