Should Danish building regulations legalise basement dwellings? – Consequences for daylight and view out investigated through case studies

¹ Aalborg University, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg, Denmark
² Lota, Reykjavik, Iceland

^* Corresponding author: lro@build.aau.dk

Abstract

Densification of cities is ongoing for sustainability purposes, but it has consequences for daylight availability in dwellings and the view out. Despite 'comparable conditions', national daylight and view-out regulations differ between Nordic countries, particularly regarding allowing dwellings below ground level. Two case studies investigate daylight and view-out access in modelled basement dwellings through simulations of daylight autonomy and renders of view-out content. Results indicate that basement dwellings can meet daylight and view-out access requirements in suburban, low-rise neighbourhoods but cannot meet the requirements in medium- to high-rise urban contexts. This study will contribute to future political decisions on national building regulations in Denmark and may influence future decisions on urban planning and building development.