Research on the Effectiveness of Bioclimatic Comfort Criteria in the Landscape Planning Process: A Case Study of Van Province

Abstract

People feel comfortable when environmental conditions fall within certain ranges. This range is defined as the comfort zone. The condition where the climate-related parameters such as temperature, wind speed, and humidity are within suitable ranges for humans is called “bioclimatic comfort” or simply “biocomfort.” Throughout their lives, people make efforts to adjust biocomfort values in their surroundings, using aids such as clothing, heating, or cooling systems, to feel comfortable within the appropriate ranges. Therefore, having the climate parameters in the regions where people live fall within comfort ranges is crucial for people's well-being, health, performance, happiness, and energy use. Consequently, the regional and temporal variation of suitable ranges in terms of biocomfort is of significant importance in many aspects. In this study, the aim was to determine the seasonal variation of some meteorological parameters and, based on these, to identify areas that are suitable or unsuitable for biocomfort in the province of Van, one of Turkey’s major cities. The long-term averages of meteorological data for Van from 1939 to 2018. According to the biocomfort map created using annual average meteorological data, it was determined that none of Van province is suitable for biocomfort. Seasonal assessments revealed that the entire province is uncomfortable in spring, autumn, and winter, while in summer, 99.18% of the province is suitable for biocomfort, and 0.82% is unsuitable. Additionally, evaluations were made based on summer index values. According to the summer index values, it was found that even in June, July, and August—when temperatures are highest—most people in Van province remain in a comfort zone, although some people feel cool. This indicates that Van province lies in a relatively cool climate zone.