ADVANCED STRATEGIES FOR THERMAL COMFORT IN WARM AND HUMID CLIMATES: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Keywords: thermal comfort India, warm-humid climate, passive cooling, natural ventilation, adaptive comfort, jaali screen, chajja, courtyard, urban heat island, green roof, traditional Indian architecture, NBC 2016
Abstract: The built environment challenge of thermal comfort in India’s warm and humid climatic zones, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Kochi, among other cities, is one of the most stringent globally. This calls for thermal comfort solutions under constant high temperatures of 28°C–38°C, coupled with a relative humidity range of 70%–95%. This paper attempts to synthesize and contextualize cutting-edge thermal comfort solutions for India’s warm and humid climatic zones by critically evaluating four foundational international research studies. The four studies were selected for their significance as foundational works by internationally renowned authors. The evaluation of thermal comfort solutions is contextualized for India by referencing India-specific data, standards, and vernacular wisdom. The thermal comfort solutions discussed include passive building design techniques such as building orientation, jaali screens, chajja overhangs, courtyard spatial configurations, natural ventilation, building material selection, roof selection, and vegetation. The evaluation also includes urban microclimate management, the adaptability of thermal comfort by Indian occupants, the role of humidity, and traditional Indian building designs. The findings of this evaluation include the fact that Indian occupants exhibit a significantly wider thermal comfort range of 30°C–35°C, 70%–90% relative humidity, compared to the static thermal comfort range predicted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The building envelope’s roof surface is identified as the most sensitive thermal comfort surface, and the provision of shade through building morphology and vegetation is identified as the dominant solution for mitigating heat stress. The application of a multi-pronged passive building design solution, informed by adaptive comfort standards and backed by a plethora of Indian vernacular wisdom, is identified as the only solution for thermal comfort.
"ADVANCED STRATEGIES FOR THERMAL COMFORT IN WARM AND HUMID CLIMATES: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE", JETNR - JOURNAL OF EMERGING TRENDS AND NOVEL RESEARCH (www.JETNR.org), ISSN:2984-9276, Vol.4, Issue 6, page no.a151-a159, June-2026, Available :https://rjpn.org/JETNR/papers/JETNR2606024.pdf
Volume 4
Issue 6,
June-2026
Pages : a151-a159
Paper Reg. ID: JETNR_234944
Published Paper Id: JETNR2606024
Downloads: 00094
Research Area: Others area
Country: Dewas, Madhya Pradesh , India
ISSN: 2984-9276 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.87 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2023
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.87 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: RJPN (IJPublication) Janvi Wave
