Short answer
Designers should move beyond generic thermal comfort standards and conduct localized research to understand the specific needs of target user groups, especially in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2012)
- Method
- Field Survey
- Sample
- 426 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Understanding the specific thermal comfort needs of low-income populations in hot-humid climates is crucial for designing healthier and more habitable living spaces. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2012 study published in Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS). Using Field survey with 426 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should move beyond generic thermal comfort standards and conduct localized research to understand the specific needs of target user groups, especially in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts.
Low-income dwellings in hot-humid climates require thermal comfort bands of 30-35°C
Understanding the specific thermal comfort needs of low-income populations in hot-humid climates is crucial for designing healthier and more habitable living spaces.
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · 2012
Key Findings
- 01The neutral temperature for the low-income group in Surakarta was found to be 32.5°C.
- 02The comfort bandwidth for this group ranges from 30°C to 35°C.
- 03Personal (gender, clothing index), dwelling (ventilation, orientation), and surrounding factors (vegetation) significantly influenced indoor air temperatures and thermal responses.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should move beyond generic thermal comfort standards and conduct localized research to understand the specific needs of target user groups, especially in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts.
How to apply
When designing residential spaces in hot-humid climates, especially for vulnerable populations, prioritize passive cooling strategies like natural ventilation and consider the impact of local vegetation on microclimates.
Project actions
- 01When researching user needs, consider the specific demographic and environmental context.
- 02Investigate how personal choices (like clothing) interact with environmental factors to affect user comfort.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large sample size (426 participants) increases the reliability of findings.
- +Investigated multiple influencing factors (personal, dwelling, surrounding) for a comprehensive understanding.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a specific location (Surakarta, Indonesia) and focused on a particular income group. The results might not apply directly to other regions or populations without further research.
Reliability & validity
The study employed multiple methods for deriving thermal comfort, enhancing the validity of the findings. The large sample size contributes to the reliability of the reported comfort bandwidth.
Think critically
How might the 'comfort bandwidth' identified in this study be influenced by cultural norms or daily activities specific to the low-income group in Surakarta?
Design Principles
"Thermal comfort is context-dependent and influenced by a combination of environmental, personal, and socio-economic factors."
This research highlights that standard thermal comfort models may not adequately represent the lived experiences of all demographic groups. Designers and engineers must consider socio-economic factors and local environmental conditions to create appropriate and effective solutions.
What This Means for Your Design
People in hot, humid places who don't have a lot of money have different comfort needs. They feel comfortable between 30°C and 35°C, which is warmer than what many standard guidelines suggest. How they dress, how their house is built (like windows and direction), and even plants around their home can change how they feel.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the thermal comfort targets for your design project if it is situated in a similar climate and targets a similar demographic.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing the importance of context-specific user research in your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that thermal comfort is highly context-dependent, with low-income populations in hot-humid climates exhibiting distinct preferences. For instance, a study in Surakarta, Indonesia, found a comfort bandwidth of 30-35°C for this group, with a neutral temperature of 32.5°C, influenced by factors such as clothing, ventilation, and surrounding vegetation. This highlights the necessity of localized user research to inform design decisions, moving beyond generalized comfort standards to ensure user well-being and habitability.
Source
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)
Comfort Temperatures for the Low-Income Group in a Hot-Humid Climate
journal · 2012
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about low-income dwellings in hot-humid climates require thermal comfort bands of 30-35°c?
- Designers should move beyond generic thermal comfort standards and conduct localized research to understand the specific needs of target user groups, especially in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts. Evidence: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2012).
- Why does "Low-income dwellings in hot-humid climates require thermal comfort bands of 30-35°C" matter for design?
- This research highlights that standard thermal comfort models may not adequately represent the lived experiences of all demographic groups. Designers and engineers must consider socio-economic factors and local environmental conditions to create appropriate and effective solutions.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should move beyond generic thermal comfort standards and conduct localized research to understand the specific needs of target user groups, especially in diverse climatic and socio-economic contexts.
- What were the main findings?
- The neutral temperature for the low-income group in Surakarta was found to be 32.5°C.. The comfort bandwidth for this group ranges from 30°C to 35°C.. Personal (gender, clothing index), dwelling (ventilation, orientation), and surrounding factors (vegetation) significantly influenced indoor air temperatures and thermal responses.
- What research method was used?
- Field Survey with 426 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2012 journal from Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing residential spaces in hot-humid climates, especially for vulnerable populations, prioritize passive cooling strategies like natural ventilation and consider the impact of local vegetation on microclimates.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the Surakarta region and the studied low-income group; generalizability to other regions or income levels may require further investigation.