Indoor thermal comfort of urban slum shelters in the warm-humid climate of Ghana

Slum proliferation is widespread across sub-Saharan African cities and their peripheries. Amid rising atmospheric temperatures, indoor thermal comfort has become a critical component of building performance. This study evaluates how the indoor environment affects thermal comfort among occupants of urban slum shelters. Six shelters were monitored for indoor and outdoor air temperature and relative humidity over one year, alongside a field survey of 400 shelter occupants. Monitoring revealed average monthly indoor air temperatures ranging from 28.39 to 31.18°C, exceeding outdoors. Over 80% of respondents reported thermal sensations within the slightly cool to slightly warm range. The estimated neutral temperature of 30.94°C exceeded thresholds defined by many established standards. This finding reflects elevated comfort thresholds developed through prolonged heat exposure, posing significant physiological and public health risks. These findings highlight the urgent need for low-cost passive cooling strategies, improved building envelopes, and targeted public health interventions.