Impact of building morphology on outdoor thermal comfort in summer afternoons: A case study in Nanjing, China

The process of urbanization has significantly altered urban ecology, modifying regional microclimates and outdoor thermal comfort. Buildings have emerged as a central factor in driving these transformations. This study measures building morphology indicators and outdoor thermal comfort in 153 Nanjing locations during summer daylight hours. A regression analysis was utilized to investigate the effect of building morphology on outdoor thermal comfort, as well as its diversity across areas with varying characteristics. The connection and mechanism of action between building morphology and outdoor thermal comfort were investigated and elucidated. The findings reveal that building morphology have a substantial influence on the level of outdoor thermal comfort. Building surface coverage is the most critical indicator for predicting thermal comfort and heterogeneity in various scenarios. Additionally, it was noted that different building morphology indicators exhibit distinct correlations and varying degrees of correlation with the aforementioned elements. The impact of building morphology on outdoor thermal comfort is primarily attributed to its effect on solar radiation. The buildings classified as GG1 and GG5 demonstrate superior shading characteristics, resulting in optimal levels of outdoor thermal comfort. The primary objective of this study is to provide guidance for regulating outdoor thermal comfort from a building morphology viewpoint.