Preferred solar access in high-density,sub-tropical housing

Abstract

Appropriate solar access is considered to be important to residents’ health, comfort and daily living. In the past few decades, guidelines and standards have been formulated for the provision of sunlight in low-density housing. However, in sub-tropical, high-density housing like that found in Hong Kong, relevant guidelines and standards are generally lacking. At the same time, better provision of sunlight to such housing has become a matter of concern. Residents’ preference for solar access is very important to the formulation of standards for solar access and daylighting, as well as urban planning and building design. This paper presents the results of questionnaire surveys regarding residents’ preferences for solar access in terms of timing, duration and location. Computer simulation provides information on the actual sunlight environment of the visited households. Policy-makers, as well as planners and architects, should take the findings into account when establishing appropriate guidelines and standards for high-density tropical cities like Hong Kong.