Comparing the Thermal Comfort Status of Local Residents of the Historical Context with Non-Local Tourists Visiting the Historical House of the Borujerdi in Kashan

Introduction

Thermal comfort is defined as "that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment" (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55, 2017) and is a critical factor influencing the quality of outdoor environments (Chen et al., 2015: 644-65). Optimal thermal comfort promotes greater presence in public spaces, whereas thermal dissatisfaction can impair mental capacity and concentration (Shooshtarian et al., 2017: 119–132). Consequently, improving environmental conditions to achieve thermal comfort enhances user satisfaction and attracts more people (Khalilian et al., 2019:129-142; Fatahi et al., 2020:53-63). This is strategically vital for historic urban areas, where rapid urbanization and high building density have increased the use of open spaces around cultural heritage sites, making the achievement of optimal thermal standards key to improving environmental quality and visitor well-being (Zhen et al., 2025:5). As popular tourist destinations, historic attractions require a favorable thermal environment to enhance the experience for both visitors and local residents (Ayçam et al., 2020: :14), which significantly improves the quality of a tourist's visit and helps them choose the best time for sightseeing (Nasrollahi et al., 2016:356-372). However, thermal comfort in these settings is highly dynamic, directly impacting visitor duration and satisfaction (Nasrollahi et al., 2016:356-372). Perceptions of comfort vary significantly between groups; local residents often exhibit greater thermal adaptation and familiarity with the local climate compared to non-native tourists, who may perceive the thermal environment differently and display less uniform adaptive behaviors (Zhen et al., 2025: 5).
The necessity of this research is underscored by the growing trend in historical tourism, which attracts both local residents and non-native tourists to heritage sites like the Borujerdi House in Kashan. Understanding and comparing the thermal comfort levels of these two groups is crucial, as differences in adaptation and perception can significantly impact their overall experience and satisfaction. The study aims to investigate the thermal comfort status of visitors and compare the subjective comfort experienced by acclimatized locals with that of non-native tourists, who may perceive the conditions differently. This understanding is fundamental to creating conditions that allow tourists to visit historic monuments with greater comfort and enjoyment, thereby enhancing travel experiences, increasing satisfaction, and fostering repeat visits, which plays a key role in the sustainable development of the historic tourism industry.
This study investigates the thermal comfort conditions at the historic Borujerdi House in Kashan, employing a mixed-methods approach to address the following research questions:

What is the objective and subjective thermal comfort status of visitors to the Borujerdi House complex during peak temperature periods?
Is there a statistically significant difference in the perceived thermal comfort between acclimatized local residents and non-native tourists?

 

Reaserch Methodology

This research employs a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, integrating both extensive literature review and detailed field studies to collect data. The fieldwork was conducted at the historic Borujerdi House in Kashan, characterized by a harsh, hot, and arid climate, prompting a specific focus on evaluating urban microclimatic thermal conditions during peak temperature periods. A total of 400 participants (200 local residents and 200 non-native tourists) were engaged in the study. The data collection process was twofold: precise environmental measurements and detailed subjective questionnaires.
The questionnaire was designed to assess subjective thermal perception and adaptation. Thermal comfort was evaluated using the ASHRAE Standard 55 seven-point scale (ranging from cold to hot, with a neutral range indicating satisfaction). Thermal adaptation was gauged with a binary (yes/no) scale, and thermal preference was measured using the standard Fanger model (prefer warmer, no change, prefer cooler). Participants, seated in the shade, took approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey, which also captured comprehensive personal data including demographics, precise location, clothing type, insulation value (clo value), and metabolic rate—with clothing type and quantity identified as a critical factor directly influencing thermal perception and adaptation.
 

Discussion

This study investigates the significant differences in thermal comfort perception between local residents and non-native tourists at the historic Borujerdi House in Kashan. The findings reveal that long-term thermal adaptation among local inhabitants to the hot and arid climate results in a substantially wider thermal comfort range (5.36–5.56°C) compared to non-native tourists (4.54–4.76°C). This discrepancy is clearly observed in the data: native men report comfort between 24.66–30.22°C and native women between 23.26–28.62°C, whereas non-native tourists exhibit comfort thresholds approximately 5°C lower on average. Gender-based differences were also notable, with women in both groups demonstrating greater sensitivity to temperature variations a finding consistent with previous studies on morphological and metabolic disparities between sexes, including factors such as body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, and peripheral blood circulation, all influencing thermal perception. Regarding thermal preference, 54% of local residents preferred no change to the existing conditions, whereas 71% of non-native tourists expressed a desire for a cooler environment. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions to address tourists' lack of acclimatization to the local microclimate. The divergence in thermal adaptation stems from physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors. Local residents have developed effective adaptive mechanisms such as efficient sweating, optimized skin blood flow regulation, and behavioral adjustments including appropriate clothing and activity timing supported by their familiarity with the region’s traditional architecture. In contrast, non-native tourists, often arriving from different climatic zones, lack such gradual adaptation, leading to a narrower comfort range and a need for lower temperatures to achieve thermal satisfaction. This research highlights the critical importance of incorporating thermal adaptation and individual differences into the design and management of historic environments. A user-centered approach that addresses the needs of both groups can enhance cultural tourism sustainability, improve visitor experience, and extend dwell time-all while preserving architectural authenticity. The study offers a scientifically-grounded framework for microclimatic management in heritage sites, providing a replicable model for similar historical contexts worldwide. The results of the present study are consistent with studies that have compared the thermal comfort status of indigenous residents of historical contexts with non-indigenous tourists.
Based on a synthesis of empirical studies, a clear and consistent pattern emerges regarding thermal perception differences between local residents and non-native tourists, shaped profoundly by long-term climatic adaptation and cultural factors. Research indicates that cultural background, lived experience in a specific climate, and socially-influenced clothing choices significantly shift thermal comfort ranges (Naheed et al., 2021:23). This results in individuals acclimatized to heat perceiving higher temperatures as normal and utilizing adaptive strategies like loose, light-colored clothing to manage heat exchange, while visitors from temperate climates find the same conditions unbearable and desire rapid cooling.
This physiological and behavioral adaptation translates into measurable differences: Locals consistently exhibit a wider thermal comfort range and a higher neutral temperature. For instance, Tian et al. (2022) found locals had a neutral Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) of 17.3°C, compared to 15.5°C for tourists, and a more convergent, less stressful acceptable range. This suggests residency increases thermal tolerance and perception thresholds, whereas tourists, lacking long-term adaptation, desire more constant temperatures and are more affected by physical factors.
This phenomenon is globally observed. In Porto, tourists had a significantly narrower comfort range, with a summer neutral PET of 18.6°C versus 21.2°C for locals, and only 62% found conditions acceptable compared to 87% of locals (Lopes et al., 2021: 10). Similarly, studies in coastal, hot-humid climates found tourists had a narrower acceptable range (19.6–29.5°C) and a higher neutral PET (19.2–23.8°C), desiring less sun, more wind, and lower humidity than locals (Shang et al., 2020: 730-745). This pattern is reaffirmed in traditional villages; in Fenghuang, locals were acclimatized to heat and humidity, displaying a significantly higher neutral temperature (24.8°C) and acceptable range (21–28.7°C) than tourists (20.1°C and 16.5–23.6°C) (Jiang et al., 2025).
In conclusion, the collective evidence demonstrates that tourists, due to an absence of long-term adaptation, experience poorer thermal comfort and a narrower, higher range of acceptability compared to well-adapted local residents. This underscores the critical need for climate-responsive management strategies at tourist sites that account for these distinct perceptual differences.
 

Conclusion

The analysis of thermal comfort and preferences at the historic Borujerdi House in Kashan revealed a clear divergence between local residents and non-native tourists. The results demonstrated that local inhabitants, both male and female, exhibited a higher degree of acclimatization to the local climate, reporting greater thermal satisfaction at significantly higher temperatures (men at 27.4°C and women at 26.0°C). In contrast, non-native tourists of both genders expressed thermal comfort at considerably lower temperatures (men at 23.52°C and women at 22.45°C), indicating a much narrower comfort range. A particularly insightful finding pertained to thermal preference. While local residents expressed greater dissatisfaction with the existing thermal conditions, a majority paradoxically preferred that the environment remain unchanged—a strong indicator of their long-term adaptive behavior and acceptance of the prevailing climate. Conversely, most tourists explicitly preferred a cooler environment. To address this disparity, targeted strategies are crucial. For non-native tourists desiring cooler conditions, implementing adaptive measures such as providing personal fans, establishing well-shaded temporary rest areas, and employing outdoor water misting systems is recommended. Simultaneously, it is vital to maintain the existing thermal stability for local residents by optimizing natural ventilation and minimizing temperature fluctuations within the environment. Furthermore, proactively communicating the site's typical thermal conditions and advising visitors on appropriate clothing for the microclimate can effectively manage expectations. By implementing these tailored strategies, the site can significantly enhance the visit experience for both groups, elevating overall satisfaction. This approach will ensure the Borujerdi House is not only preserved as a vital historical monument but also experienced as a thermally considerate and comfortable environment for all its visitors.