PLANNING FOR SOLAR ACCESS.

Abstract: Swedish cities are getting denser. People spend a lot of time indoors, it therefore becomes important to guarantee daylight availability and solar access in buildings, in order to save energy and ensure human well-being. However, this becomes important in the case of outdoor spaces as well. Outdoor spaces can become places that invite people to stay. Thus, spending less time indoors, having as a possible outcome a lower energy demand for heating and air conditioning. Nowadays there are no evidence-based recommendations, nor research-based guidelines to guarantee good daylight within urban spaces. An approach based on the understanding of people’s insights meanwhile experiencing the direct sunlight could support the development of these recommendations. Therefore, this study was carried out using a qualitative approach, based on surveys analyzing people’s experience about solar and daylight access in public spaces in Lund and Helsingborg. Additionally, point-in-time technical measurements and observations were conducted to support the surveys. The temporary context of the study was placed around the spring equinox. As an outcome of the study, no correlation was found between the questionnaire results and the level of illumination, although there was slight relationship between illumination and pleasantness under cloudy or overcast days for some respondents. Furthermore, a second survey took place, based on qualitative observations of activities and behavior of space user. The second survey took place in the same locations as previously. This time, the observations occurred during spring weather conditions. It could be observed that people usually choose areas with direct sunlight for activities like eating, reading or hanging out. In this situation, it could be observed that direct sunlight the development of necessary activities like passing by or waiting was considered less important. An outcome of the observations revealed a clear willingness to be more socially active and interact with people under direct sunlight. In addition, other factors played a minor role, but still they should be considered to be analyzed in future research. Special attention should be put in design stages regarding wind protection and functionality of the space in relationship with the available direct sunlight to maximize the use of public spaces. This research did not include microclimate, which may have a great impact in people’s evaluation of solar access in public spaces.