VIRTUAL Manchester Livable Cities
Abstract
Amid accelerating urbanization and global warming, intensified Urban Heat Island (UHI) conditions heighten the need for pedestrian thermal comfort. Elevated pedestrian corridors present a climate-responsive strategy, linking ground-level routes with skywalk networks and acting as ecological transition nodes. These multilevel systems help regulate microclimate, improve outdoor thermal comfort (OTC), and reduce Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), while supporting continuous social and recreational circulation. The study site is located within the Port of Kaohsiung, a major subtropical monsoon region characterized by high temperatures, humid summers, intense summer radiation, and sea-breeze modulation. This climatic context provides the basis for examining how elevated pedestrian circulation systems influence human thermal comfort and contribute to microclimate regulation in a high-temperature port environment.
An investigation of corridor orientation, width, height, and vegetation configuration focused on their effects on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) to inform climate-responsive design. Microclimate simulations using ENVI-met and RayMan Pro within the Port of Kaohsiung’s economic and trade development zone were validated against in-situ measurements. Six design scenarios were compared, and the configuration most effective in enhancing outdoor thermal comfort was identified, informing design strategies for elevated pedestrian corridors in high-temperature port urban environments. It offers architects and planners actionable insights to guide effective project implementation, promote sustainable urban development, and improve thermal comfort in intermediary urban spaces. Keywords: Elevated Urban Corridors、Microclimate Regulation、outdoor thermal comfort （OTC) 、physiologically equivalent temperature (PET)
I am Chian-Pei Yang from Taiwan, currently studying Architecture at National United University. My research focuses on urban elevated corridors and microclimate impacts on human thermal comfort, with a case study of transitional spaces in the Kaohsiung Port multifunctional economic zone. I am passionate about how spatial design can enhance environmental performance and improve everyday urban experience.
Chuang-Hung Lin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at National United University, Taiwan. Her research focuses on landscape architecture, micro-climate and ecological environment studies, architectural design, and building regulations. She is dedicated to integrating environmental analysis with spatial planning to advance sustainable architectural practice.