Improving the urban planning process for optimising solar access in new neighbourhoods

Decisions made in the urban planning process will determine the insolation of future neighbourhoods for their entire building lives. Sun and daylight have multiple benefits including health, productivity, real estate value and energy production, and thus, it is crucial to be able to take informed design decisions in an early planning phase. Ensuring good sun- and daylight access will help reaching the objectives of sustainable cities. However, there is still inadequate evidence-based knowledge and definitions for suitable targets to holistically plan for solar energy in neighbourhoods. This project aims to increase knowledge for the planning of new neighbourhoods to maximize the use of incoming sunlight and solar energy, in both indoor and outdoor spaces. This will be achieved by establishing empirical grounds based on Swedish residents’ preferences, and by improving the decision-making process for the planning of solar neighbourhoods.