Microclimate in Hot Dry Damascus: The Influence of the Urban Environment on Human Perception

There is a broad recognition that microclimatic conditions contribute to the quality of life in cities. A favorable microclimate has a positive influence on both commercial and social activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the human being and the surrounding thermal environment in terms of thermal acceptability, physical quality of the place, emotional state and the usage of the urban space in hot dry Damascus, Syria. The study is based on questionnaire surveys during the summer and winter in six locations with different microclimates. It is shown that the urban design plays a significant role in improving the microclimate, especially during the summer. The study also illustrates that when people’s thermal perception is within the thermally acceptable range (i.e., slightly cool, comfortable and slightly warm) they experience the urban design as significantly more beautiful and more pleasant than during thermally unacceptable conditions. The results indicate that there is an interactive relationship between the urban design and humans’ emotional state. Our findings suggest that a new perspective is needed for determining urban microclimate requirements and incorporating them into the urban design process to enhance the thermal environment in outdoor urban spaces in Damascus.