Assessing Outdoor Microclimate through On-Site Data and Simulation: The Case Study of Sistelo, Portugal

While microclimate studies tend to focus almost exclusively on large cities and densely urbanized areas, small historical villages are often left out of the scientific debate, despite their potential in terms of climate resilience, cultural value, and sustainable tourism development. This study explores the case of Sistelo, a historical village in northern Portugal, to investigate outdoor microclimatic conditions in a rural and heritage-rich setting. The research was structured in two complementary phases: an on-site monitoring campaign conducted during a springtime heatwave, involving detailed measurements across various outdoor spaces in the village; and a subsequent digital modelling and microclimate simulation based on historical average climatic data using specialized software. The comparison between the measured data and simulated results highlights meaningful discrepancies and raises questions about the representativeness of standard models in smaller settlements. This work aims to serve as a first step toward a more inclusive approach to microclimate analysis—one that recognizes the role of peripheral and small-scale contexts in shaping more nuanced and locally grounded climate and planning strategies.