Improving indoor thermal comfort by changing outdoor conditions

Abstract Recent publications in thermophysiology and biometeorology indicate that indoor climate, especially during nighttime, is quite important for well-being and avoiding physical stress by unfavourable thermal factors. In cities the indoor climate in summertime often is affected in a negative way by higher air temperatures as well as by different radiative and airflow conditions compared to non-urban areas. A multitude of investigations in urban climatology revealed that by changing some characteristics of the specific building structures (e.g., changing sealed surfaces into vegetation, especially in yards and at walls) a positive effect on the indoor climate can be achieved. By these means, the urban climate does not necessarily cause a higher thermal stress on the organism. Through interdisciplinary collaboration (meteorologists, building physicists, urban planners, architects) by relatively simple means, a significant melioration of the bioclimate for indoor conditions within cities can be achieved.