Comparative Analysis of Summer Discomfort Index and Thermal Sensation Vote Using Remote Sensing Data in the Summer: A Case Study of the Mediterranean Cities Seville, Barcelona, and Tetuan

Abstract

As urban areas expand, the focus on improving outdoor thermal comfort intensifies. This study generated Summer Discomfort Index (SDI) maps for Seville and Barcelona (Spain), as well as Tetuan (Morocco). SDI integrates temperature and humidity for an accurate comfort assessment. Calculations involved substituting air temperature with land surface data from MODIS and incorporating humidity from weather stations, then comparing it to Thermal Sensation Votes (TSV) gathered through surveys. The objective was to assess thermal comfort levels and explore the relationship between remotely sensed SDI and residents’ reported perception. These detailed SDI maps offer crucial insights into summer thermal conditions, advancing urban climate studies and influencing urban planning, design, and well-being strategies.