# Exploring the Impact of Thermal Environment on Student Well-Being in Sustainable Campus Settings
## 1 Introduction and Background  
With rising global temperatures [1, 2, 3], understanding the impact of hot and humid climates is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on health and well-being. Exposure to such climates poses risks, including fatalities, organ damage, and psychological effects, as well as increased likelihood of heat-related injuries, diseases, and accidents [4]. Activities in extreme heat can cause physiological and psychological changes, such as elevated heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, mood swings, and excessive sweating [5], and individuals are at risk of heat stroke, cramps, and exhaustion [6]. The promotion of outdoor activities has gained momentum as a means of improving health and well-being [7], with an increasing emphasis on encouraging university students to engage in outdoor pursuits due to their high levels of sedentary, computer-based activities. More research is needed on how environmental factors influence thermal comfort in outdoor spaces on campuses [8]. Research on outdoor thermal comfort has examined a variety of urban environments--such as streets, parks, and squares--in climates ranging from Mediterranean and desert to subtropical, tropical, and continental, underscoring the important role that outdoor microclimates play in shaping comfort and space utilization [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. Recent studies highlight the impact of campus design on thermal comfort and sustainability. Research on waterfront green spaces in hot, humid regions shows they improve thermal comfort, reduce stress, and decrease cooling energy demand [19]. In Shanghai, thermally comfortable outdoor campus spaces enhance student comfort and reduce reliance on energy-intensive indoor cooling [20]. Additionally, at the University of Alberta, thoughtful campus design, including winter-specific strategies, promotes student well-being and energy savings, contributing to a more sustainable environment [21]. Also, improving wayfinding on campus can enhance well-being by reducing stress and aiding navigation to create a more positive campus experience [22]. Color also plays a key role in influencing both thermal and psychological comfort. Warm colors, such as red, can enhance thermal sensation and comfort in colder environments, while cool colors, like blue, can improve comfort in warmer settings [23]. The color of buildings and clothing can impact thermal performance by affecting skin temperature and activating the neural system [24; 25; 26; 27; 28]. Research indicates that warmer colors tend to increase thermal sensation votes (TSV), while cooler colors reduce them [23]. The saturation of color can also influence emotional responses [29]. Thus, selecting appropriate colors of clothing and built environments can improve both thermal and psychological comfort. Landscape features, particularly shaded areas, have been shown to significantly enhance thermal comfort, with shading preferred over sun-exposed spaces [30; 31]. Urban morphology and the presence of vegetation, such as trees, positively impact outdoor thermal conditions by lowering temperatures [32; 33; 34; 35]. Studies show that air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation are key factors influencing outdoor thermal comfort in urban microclimates [36; 37]. These factors contribute to improved health and well-being, especially for students, with outdoor activities improving mental health [38; 39]. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) is designed to evaluate outdoor thermal discomfort, while the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index is effective for predicting thermal comfort in HVAC-equipped buildings and can indicate the transition from thermal discomfort to heat stress [39; 40]. The thermal environment, particularly air temperature, influences individuals' attendance and adaptive behaviors in outdoor spaces [41]. Recent studies indicate that the time of day influences heat sensations, with skin temperature fluctuating more in the evening than in the afternoon [42].