Effects of Urban Layout, Façade Orientation, and Façade Height on Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Availability in a Dense Residential Area
A Dynamic Analysis in Shanghai
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13112754 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xi Zhang (0009-0004-8281-1030, University of Liverpool), Jiangtao Du (0000-0002-4307-4398, University of Liverpool, corresponding author), Steve Sharples (0000-0002-6309-9672, University of Liverpool) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 222-222 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Urban Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2413-8851 • E-ISSN: 2413-8851 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/urbansci9060222 |
| OpenAlex | W4411285300 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is critical for sustaining plant growth in the ground and on building surfaces, but how to accurately predict PAR availability in a complex urban environment can be a challenge. Using an advanced ray-tracing software (Radiance 4.0) and local weather data, this study presents a dynamic analysis of the effects of layout, façade orientation and height on PAR availability in four high density residential areas in Shanghai city, China. A metric system was also adopted using three light level requirements of outdoor plants (low, medium, high light levels). Key findings included: (1) the urban layout with the highest ratio of building height to north–south facing adjacent building separation achieved the higher levels of PAR availability for low/medium light level plants and the lower levels of PAR availability for high-light plants for middle and low façades and the ground, while high façades in all layouts could see similar PAR availability for all plants. (2) The PAR availability for low/medium-light plants decreased with the increasing façade height, while the PAR availability for high-light plants showed the opposite trend. (3) The north façade and its ground had higher levels of PAR availability for low/medium-light plants and lower levels of PAR availability for high-light plants than other façades. (4) All layouts offered more opportunities to apply high-light and medium-light plants at façades and the ground
Biology · Botany · Geography · Geometry · Meteorology · Optics · Orientation (vector space · Photosynthesis · Photosynthetically active radiation · Physics · Remote sensing · Environmental Science · Impact of Light on Environment and Health · Mathematics · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Heat Island Mitigation · Radiation
Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities
The relationship of urban design to human health and condition
The effect of urbanization on environmental pollution in rapidly developing urban agglomerations
How is quality of urban green spaces associated with physical activity and health?
Defining greenspace
Assessing the role of urban green spaces for human well-being
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |