Evaluation of the potential of natural light to illuminate buildings in dense urban environment. A study in Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

Cities display an array of microclimates closely related to the composition of their surfaces and the relationships among their structures. The effect of the shadow cast by a high-rise building is a simple case of this situation. The incidence of the shadow on other buildings or urban spaces can be positive or negative, according to the bioclimatic requirements of the place and season. The understanding of the cause of these effects is key information that helps when planning new urban complexes or refurbishing existing ones. Aiming at sustainable urban design, the building sector's energy efficiency, associated with bioclimatic design guidelines, is the most adequate way to achieve the desired goal and its consideration must be a priority in every situation where a high substitution potential of fossil by renewable energies exists, and it is available through control of the urban environment's morphology. To make the solar energy use feasible in urban environments it is necessary to incorporate design guidelines into building and urban normative as parts of integral planning by compatibilizing desirable levels of solar access with urban density and considering shape and orientation of parcels, buildings and streets. The paper presents the results of a study in Mendoza City, Argentina, on the daylighting potential in residential buildings, obtained through simulation and measurements "in situ" The electric energy consumed for lighting was analyzed, comparing different unit values for the apartments in the buildings of the city, considering their morphology and orientation. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.