Mendes, Pedro TorgalNouri, André SantosMatzarakis, Andreas2025-08-262025-08-262025-062073-4433PURE: 127781779PURE UUID: f3a65f81-a359-4833-bfda-b3c86d116cdeScopus: 105009080391http://hdl.handle.net/10362/186922Publisher Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, SwitzerlandUrbanization and climate change present increasing challenges to outdoor human thermal comfort, particularly in university campuses where academic, social, and recreational activities converge. This study assesses microclimatic risk factors along the main avenue of the NOVA FCT campus by analyzing outdoor human thermal comfort using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and modified PET (mPET) indices. Field measurements of air temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and radiation were conducted at multiple Points Of Interest (POIs) to evaluate thermal stress levels and identify critical zones of discomfort. Results indicate significant spatial and temporal variations in thermal stress, with sun-exposed areas (G2) experiencing PET values exceeding 50 °C, during peak summer hours, while shaded locations (G1) showed substantial thermal relief (PET reductions up to 27 °C between G1 and G2 POIs). Wind velocity and urban morphology played crucial roles in modulating microclimatic conditions. Wind velocity above 2.0 m/s was associated with perceptible thermal relief (3–8 °C PET/mPET reduction), especially in narrow, shaded passages. Significant spatial variability was observed, linked to differences in urban morphology, surface materials, and vegetation coverage. This research provides actionable insights for urban planners and campus administrators, contributing to the development of more sustainable and thermally comfortable outdoor environments in educational settings.10528181engbottom-up approachclimate adaptationclimate-resilient campus planninghuman thermal comfortshadingwind velocityEnvironmental Science (miscellaneous)SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 13 - Climate Actionjournal article10.3390/atmos16060677https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009080391