Evaluation of Thermal Comfort in Outdoor Learning Spaces of a University Campus in Hot-Humid Climate, Malaysia

The underutilisation and poor design of outdoor spaces on university campuses have limited their effectiveness as learning environments due to inadequate planning and thermal discomfort.By analysing the relationship between thermal comfort and user satisfaction, the study aims to improve the design and planning of outdoor areas, hence increasing their usefulness as effective learning environments.Surveys on 500 respondents and field measurements were conducted across five outdoor learning spaces on a university campus in a hot and humid climate region from March to September 2024.Results showed that the mean air temperature for outdoor learning spaces is 28.9 C, and the neutral overall thermal comfort temperature is much higher at 37.1 C.This reflects that the students in a hothumid climate demonstrate greater adaptability to elevated air temperatures in outdoor learning spaces.There are significant differences in thermal comfort for different outdoor learning spaces, with tree-shaded sites having high heat levels and dissatisfaction rates exceeding 90%.Roof-shaded and courtyard sites showed moderate thermal comfort, although dissatisfaction remained above 50%.Semiopen spaces were the most comfortable, with respondents preferring cooler, shaded areas.The study concludes that optimising thermal conditions can improve the usability and integration of outdoor learning spaces.