The quality of outdoor spaces in a residential community affects the quality of life of its residents. This paper presents the findings of a study on outdoor thermal comfort and space usage at a residential community in Wuhan, central China, through the monitoring of microclimate conditions, interviews with residents, and recording of occupants' activities. The data were used to develop a thermal sensation vote (TSV) model and a space usage rate model. An alternative design strategy was proposed for considering thermal environment and usage rate. The results show that thermal comfort is the most important factor in the quality of outdoor spaces. Other significant factors include air quality, acoustic environment, functionality, and convenience. The study provided valuable information for the design of outdoor spaces in residential communities. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.