Synergizing comfort and energy efficiency in the built environment

Combined effects of the visual-thermal environment on restorative benefits in hot outdoor public spaces: A case study in Shenzhen, China

DONG Wen, DAI Donghui, LIU Mei, WANG Yaowu, LI Shuang, SHEN Pengyuan

2025

Building and Environment

Combined effects of the visual-thermal environment on restorative benefits in hot outdoor public spaces: A case study in Shenzhen, China

Semantic segmentation and deep value computation based on deep learning.

Summary

This study explores how visual-thermal environments in high-density cities impact well-being through deep learning and field measurements. Findings reveal solar radiation dominates restoration in low green view areas (GVI <30%), while high spatial order mitigates thermal discomfort (>600W/m²). Landscape depth improves restoration in high-GVI spaces under low wind (<1.5m/s), offering integrated design strategies to enhance urban health amid global warming and urbanization.

Abstract

In the context of global warming and rapid urbanisation, improving visual-thermal environments in public spaces is key to enhancing well-being in high-density cities. This study utilizes deep learning techniques and ffeld measurements to quantify visual and thermal environment factors. It examines the contribution of inffuencing factors in different green view spaces and reveals how to modulate multisensory experience through visual factors under speciffc thermal environments to promote recovery beneffts. The result shows that thermal factors play a signiffcant role, with solar radiation being the most important factor affecting restoration in low green view index spaces (GVI < 30 %). Furthermore, the study revealed that high orderliness could alleviate thermal discomfort (solar radiation > 600W/m²) and promote overall restoration. Additionally, under calm or light air conditions (wind speed < 1.5 m/s), enhancing landscape depth can facilitate restoration in spaces with high GVI. Our research allows for a deeper understanding of the potential value of the combined effects of visual-thermal environments in enhancing residents’ health under intensiffed heat exposure. It also provides important impli-cations

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Publication Details

Journal

Building and Environment

Publication Year

2025

Authors

DONG Wen, DAI Donghui, LIU Mei, WANG Yaowu, LI Shuang, SHEN Pengyuan

Categories

Synergizing comfort and energy efficiency in the built environment