The seventh International Conference on Urban Climate,
29 June - 3 July 2009, Yokohama, Japan
Outdoor thermal comfort and urban design in warm-humid Guayaquil, Ecuador
Erik Johansson*, Moohammed Wasim Yahia..
*Lund University
Abstract
Deteriorated urban microclimate and poor outdoor thermal comfort is an increasing problem in cities in the tropics
due to the combined effect of urban and global warming. Microclimate measurements (wind speed, air
temperature and humidity, and globe temperature) were carried out in different parts of the warm-humid city
Guayaquil, Ecuador. Simultaneously about 400 persons were asked for their subjective external thermal comfort
experiences. The study was carried out during the rainy season in public areas of the city centre (park and
waterfront), residential neighbourhood and university campus.
The results show that many parts of Guayaquil have a poor microclimate. A comparison between different thermal
comfort indices and actual sensation votes indicated that the people of Guayaquil accept higher temperatures and
humidity conditions than found in studies in colder climates. There was thus evidence of thermal adaptation and
suggest some relation between the thermal environment and the use of the places. This was most evident in the
park. Some ways to improve the urban design of public and residential areas in the city of Guayaquil are
proposed.