Thermal–Spatial Strategies for Rural Dwellings in Northern China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21834/aje-bs.v11i32.491Keywords:
Thermal adaptation; , rural housing; , courtyard; , spatial planningAbstract
Rapid rural transformation in northern China presents challenges to thermal adaptation and residential satisfaction under changing climatic conditions. This study investigates relationships among spatial configuration, material characteristics, courtyard morphology, adaptive behaviours, thermal comfort, and residential satisfaction in rural dwellings. Survey data from 383 respondents were analysed using PLS-SEM Modelling. Findings indicate that housing typology significantly influences spatial organisation, courtyard performance, and perceived thermal comfort, while spatial configuration mediates residential satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of integrating climate-responsive spatial planning, passive environmental strategies, and occupant adaptive behaviours to develop resilient and context-sensitive rural housing strategies in northern China.
References
Aste, N., Del Pero, C., & Leonforte, F. (2022). Toward building sector energy transition. In Handbook of Energy Transitions (pp. 127–150). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003315353-9
Chen, Y., & Misni, A. (2025). Comparative analysis of sustainable design strategies in Sanheyuan vernacular and modern dwellings: Effects on summer microclimate in Sha Tun village, Handan, Hebei Province, China. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2585698
Du, J., & Chen, B. (2024). Indoor thermal environment and adaptive behaviors in summer of urban households in northern China: Status and trend. Energy and Buildings, 324, 114916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114916
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of marketing research, 18(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research methods in applied linguistics, 1(3), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027
Henseler, J., Hubona, G., & Ray, P. A. (2016). Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: updated guidelines. Industrial management & data systems, 116(1), 2-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382
Huang, K. T., Lin, T. P., & Lien, H. C. (2015). Investigating thermal comfort and user behaviors in outdoor spaces: A seasonal and spatial perspective. Advances in Meteorology, 2015(1), 423508. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/423508
Ibrahim, A., Ali, H., Abuhendi, F., & Jaradat, S. (2020). Thermal seasonal variation and occupants’ spatial behaviour in domestic spaces. Building Research & Information, 48(4), 364-378. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2019.1681928
Muqoffa, M., Suyitno, Yaningsih, I., Rachmanto, R. A., Himawan, K., Caroko, N., & Basuki. (2025). Exploring natural ventilation strategies in Javanese vernacular houses for sustainable design. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 24(6), 4985–5004. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2024.2439348.
Niza, I. L., Luz, I. M. D., Bueno, A. M., & Broday, E. E. (2022). Thermal comfort and energy efficiency: Challenges, barriers, and step towards sustainability. Smart Cities, 5, 1721–1741. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities5040086
Ren, Z., Fu, Y., Dong, Y., Zhang, P., & He, X. (2022). Rapid urbanization and climate change significantly contribute to worsening urban human thermal comfort: A national 183-city, 26-year study in China. Urban Climate, 43, 101154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2022.101154
Yang, C., & Misni, A. (2025). Analysis of thermal comfort in single-story courtyard vernacular dwellings in rural China: Passive design strategies for adapting to the climate. Buildings, 15(21), 3964. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213964
Yang, C., & Misni, A. (2026). Exploring comfort and efficiency: Comparing vernacular and modern dwellings in rural Handan, Northern China. Sustainability, 18(3), 1575. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031575
Zhang, X., Li, H., Jian, Y., Fu, H., Wang, Z., & Xu, M. (2022). Vernacular or modern: Transitional preferences of residents living in varied stages of urbanisation regarding rural landscape features. Journal of Rural Studies, 95, 95–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.07.011
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Chen Yang, Alamah Misni , Mohamad Zulfadli Mohamad Zabidi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
