Assessing the potential impacts of tall buildings on a predominantly low-rise built urban environment : A case study from Västerås, Sweden

Abstract: Tall buildings have been constructed in many cities over the world to accommodate the demographic and economic growth in urban areas. These structures, however, have been widely discussed concerning their potential negative impacts on urban life. By drawing on concepts of urban morphology and the city image, this thesis aims to examine the impact of tall buildings on predominantly low-rise built urban environments and cities. Through a quantitative case study approach applying geographic information systems this thesis attempts to identify (1) the shadow impacts significantly taller buildings have on surrounding areas, (2) the visual impact and the potential for a proposed tall building to act as a new landmark, and (3) the impact tall buildings have on the skyline of a city dominated by low-rise buildings and a historic city centre. The thesis analysed two proposed buildings in Västerås, Sweden and found that the shadow impact of the analysed structures is concentrated on the winter months. The visibility of the buildings concentrates on open spaces and certain visible corridors but is not widely spread over the city. Therefore, the possibilities of the new structures becoming a new landmark of the city are questionable. Furthermore, the proposed planned structures would be visible in the skyline but would not obstruct the views to the other landmarks of the city. The thesis and its results contribute to the discourse around tall buildings and the research on the city image by showing the importance of the analysis of the potential impact of tall buildings in urban planning processes.