Microclimate and Outdoor Thermal Comfort in University Campuses: Evaluating Outdoor Urban Design at the University of Sharjah, UAE

University campuses, particularly the outdoor spaces around buildings, are essential elements that enhance the university's identity by meeting students' needs to relax, interact, and escape from the constraints of enclosed spaces. It is widely recognized that designing non-work-related areas incorporating greenery and comfort are crucial factors influencing students' development, education, and moral, social, and physical well-being. However, enhancing microclimatic conditions in the outdoor spaces of university campuses, particularly in extremely hot, humid climates, is more challenging because of the high temperatures and humidity. Fortunately, students are typically off-campus during the hot summer months; therefore, focusing on the winter period, when students are on campus, is more sensible to study. This study aims to investigate the thermal characteristics of the outdoor spaces at the University of Sharjah and explore how much the outdoor thermal environment at the campus encourages students to spend time outdoors during the winter period when the weather is less stressful than in the extreme summer. The study involved field measurements in an outdoor U-shaped courtyard, in addition to a survey investigating the thermal sensation of students in association with the aesthetical properties of the current courtyard design, focusing on beautifulness and pleasantness. The study showed that microclimate conditions encouraged students to be outdoors, although the temperature during the peak hours ranged from 27-30 ℃. It was noted that most students' answers lay around the comfort range, and the students experienced the place as being more beautiful and pleasant than in the summertime. The outcomes of this study contribute generously to the importance of increasing the quality of the outdoor space at university campuses by enhancing the microclimate and thermal comfort. Such improvements positively impact social interactions among students and contribute to better educational outcomes.