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

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.