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Abstract: Since the non-image-forming (NIF) effect of daylight on the human circadian system is widely accepted, adequate exposure to daylight is now considered one of the elements of a healthy life. In urban environment, one of the prerequisites for adequately lit indoor spaces is the amount and quality of daylight reaching the window, which is highly dependent on the characteristics of the urban environment. The aim of the study was to determine whether there are correlations between urban density (i.e., distance between buildings, building height), façade surface characteristics (i.e., colour and Window-to-Wall Ratios – WWR) and NIF potential of daylight. The study was conducted on a parametric geometric model of a street canyon covering a wide range of characteristics. Simulation results were interpreted using the Relative Melanopic Efficacy coefficient and Sky View Factor. The results indicate that the colour of the opposite façade can substantially impact the resulting NIF potential, especially for orange-red or blue hues. The results of the study show that this influence for building heights between 3 and 8 storeys becomes significant when the width of the urban canyon is less than 25 m and becomes substantially smaller at WWRs above 30 %.
Keywords: urban planning, daylight, non-image forming effects of light, circadian light, urban canyon, façade colour
Published in DKUM: 19.01.2024; Views: 415; Downloads: 50
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