WHERE THE SUN NEVER GOES DOWN

“Could there be such a thing as a lack of light?”

I ponder incessantly as I stroll down the aisle that houses my dwelling in a bustling metropolitan city. Dotted with towering buildings that battle for space in the sky, it invariably paints a picture of dusk every dawn. I lift my head to gaze at the summer sky which remains devoid of the curtaining of clouds. However, what takes hold of my sight instead is the array of high-rise structures, casting elongated shadows that amalgamate into an unsightly cluster on the ground. As I delve into contemplation, I can’t help but query myself: Why on this earth did we let these buildings soak up all the light that we are in dire need of?

Buildings, in their most rudimentary essence, are shelters devised for humanity to survive the wrath of weather and the hunger of their fellow inhabitants. Yet, as aspirations became the factor of distinction between man and his surroundings, heights morphed into the symbol of greatness. This notion passed down through generations, stands reflected in the lifestyle choices of present-day society. To have a skyscraper is a measurement of pride for the nations, and to live in a skyscraper is a measurement of status for the citizens.

Where is the problem with this? You might ask me.

As much as high-rises strip the underprivileged of their standing in the societal fabric, they also do not hesitate to snatch their right to a healthy life. The right to a healthy life, as upheld by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, encompasses the right to a healthy environment as being a fundamental part of life. When a person’s immediate surroundings are emptied of sunlight, it ought to be perceived as a direct violation of his basic human rights. Even as a nation, India has not mandated any guidelines regarding the amount of sunlight needed for the neighboring buildings that are dwarfed by the nearby high-rises. With the existing rules allowing a minimum of 6 meters distance between two redeveloped or rehabilitation buildings, the norms exert no pressure on the greed-driven construction companies to consider the plight of the low-rise inhabitants.

"Skyscrapers are a testament to human ingenuity, but we must ensure they don't overshadow the importance of sunlight in our lives." - Jane Jacobs

So, is there a remedy for their affliction of sunlight shortage?

Maybe.

The initial step toward safeguarding any human right is to incorporate it within the Constitution. By following the likes of countries such as the UK, South Africa, and Japan we too can formulate norms that mandate the provision of sunlight by specifying its amount and duration. The New Building Codes solely mandate a light intensity of 150 lux during the day, whilst completely disregarding the duration. This legislation could be further fortified by adopting Germany’s approach of implementing a new daylight standard for buildings.

Furthermore, the conundrum does weigh heavily on the architecture fraternity which has endeavored to introduce modifications to the skyscraper paradigm to strike a balance. Novel techniques such as ‘solar carving’ and ‘shadowless skyscrapers’ were integrated with explorations in the form to challenge conventional approaches to skyscraper design.

"As architects, we must strive to design skyscrapers that embrace sunlight, rather than block it, creating harmonious spaces for human life to thrive." - Norman Foster

To assess the potential impact of high-rises on low-rise structures, enthusiasts of urban design advocate conducting shadow analyses. Japan, renowned for its technological advancements, actively safeguards this right by regulating shadows cast by adjacent buildings.

However, all these solutions merely constitute partial remedies and don’t fit as the last piece of the puzzle. For instance, the practice of performing shadow analysis appears counter-intuitive as it places emphasis on shadows, whereas the actual cause of concern is the lack of light. The well-thought-out skyscraper design strategies defy the concept of feasibility, while the laws and legislation prove inadequate in the face of the colossal population that challenges regulatory measures. The only viable solution would be to establish interdisciplinary technical committees consisting of professionals from fields such as daylighting and urban planning, sustainability, architecture, engineering, medicine, neuroscience, and chronobiology. These committees would provide guidance and counsel to address this issue comprehensively.

Amidst our ongoing discussions, it surely must have crossed your mind to inquire: Is sunlight truly of such great significance? It probably wouldn’t have been, had we not been witnessing a surge in rates of myopia, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), and vitamin D deficiencies in tandem with the transformation of city skylines worldwide.

REFERENCES:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/high-rise-buildings-are-blocking-sunlight-affecting-human-health-green-cover-study

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2007/11/12/etc/When-highrise-buildings-block-the-sun-they-create-problems-for-people/2882630.html

https://media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-019-01238-y/d41586-019-01238-y.pdf

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-01/how-to-maximize-sunlight-in-a-skyscraper-city