Sharm El Sheikh, an international tourist destination, has adopted a green strategy for urban development over the past few years. The tourist attractions and hot microclimatic conditions created by the natural and built environment shaped the outdoor activities of the city's life, influencing walkability patterns. This study investigated three pedestrianized promenades in Neema Bay, Soho Square, and Old Souq during afternoon and evening walks under various thermal conditions in February, May, August, and November. The aim was to identify the thermal comfort levels of tourists and residents to extend the seasonal and daily lifespan of the occupancy of outdoor spaces, thereby improving their commercial viability. The Tourism Climate Index (TCl) scale was used to identify the comfort levels and environmental perception of the climatic conditions during each month against thermal sensation and comfort votes. Their votes revealed their tolerance to heat, which was used to analyze their acceptance of the surrounding environment. In addition, pedestrians voted for their preferred frequency of stopping and cooling interventions to improve walkability. Pedestrian comfort along the promenades proved to be less influenced by the microclimatic conditions (month and time of the day) compared to the physical attributes of the built environment of the promenades and the overall walking experience. This study provides recommendations to improve walkable infrastructure using ventilation, passive cooling, shading, and greenery.

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Comfort and Walkability in Outdoor Promenades in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt

  • Nihal Al-Sabbagh

摘要

Sharm El Sheikh, an international tourist destination, has adopted a green strategy for urban development over the past few years. The tourist attractions and hot microclimatic conditions created by the natural and built environment shaped the outdoor activities of the city's life, influencing walkability patterns. This study investigated three pedestrianized promenades in Neema Bay, Soho Square, and Old Souq during afternoon and evening walks under various thermal conditions in February, May, August, and November. The aim was to identify the thermal comfort levels of tourists and residents to extend the seasonal and daily lifespan of the occupancy of outdoor spaces, thereby improving their commercial viability. The Tourism Climate Index (TCl) scale was used to identify the comfort levels and environmental perception of the climatic conditions during each month against thermal sensation and comfort votes. Their votes revealed their tolerance to heat, which was used to analyze their acceptance of the surrounding environment. In addition, pedestrians voted for their preferred frequency of stopping and cooling interventions to improve walkability. Pedestrian comfort along the promenades proved to be less influenced by the microclimatic conditions (month and time of the day) compared to the physical attributes of the built environment of the promenades and the overall walking experience. This study provides recommendations to improve walkable infrastructure using ventilation, passive cooling, shading, and greenery.