Conforto térmico na Cidade Universitária de Dourados: um estudo sobre a UFGD e a UEMS

Abstract

The rapid global urban growth has altered population dynamics, driving greater urban concentration. This urbanization has led to the replacement of rural characteristics with urban elements, triggering changes in meteorological properties such as temperature and precipitation, which in turn influence the local climate. A notable consequence is the increase in temperatures, resulting in thermal discomfort in some regions. This discomfort can have negative implications for health, productivity, and energy demand. This research aimed to assess the thermal comfort of open spaces in the University City of Dourados, through the perception and thermal preference of its users. For this purpose, microclimatic monitoring was conducted, recording temperature and humidity data over a year, and interviews were conducted to evaluate thermal perception and preference. The interviews covered episodes of discomfort due to cold and heat. Using this data, Effective Temperature (ET) was calculated, and surface temperature maps were developed for temporal-spatial analysis, correlating the interview responses. The results allowed us to infer that the point with dense vegetation cover recorded a higher number of ET occurrences in the "comfortable" range and a lower incidence of extreme temperatures, both in heat and cold. In the summer, 35% of ET records indicated "thermal neutrality." Most of the interviewees expressed thermal comfort; however, during episodes of discomfort due to cold, there was a higher proportion of responses indicating "unpleasant" and "somewhat uncomfortable" conditions compared to the summer. Given all these records, in which interviewees reported greater discomfort due to cold, and also due to the higher number of records in this category over the evaluated period, the research emphasizes the importance of considering strategies to mitigate extreme low temperatures. These events, capable of inducing thermal dissatisfaction, stand out as social challenges to be addressed at different scales, including in a city located in a continental region.