- Research Article
- 10.4013/arq.2025.211.04
INFLUENCE OF URBAN CANYONS ON INDOOR DAYLIGHT AVAILABILITY IN TROPICAL CLIMATES
- Dec 17, 2025
- Arquitetura Revista
- Luíza De Jesus Meneses + 2 more +2
This study investigates the influence of urban canyons on daylight availability in indoor environments in tropical regions. The analysis considered variations in canyon proportions (H/W ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0), solar orientations, Vertical Angle of Obstruction (VAO), and façade reflectances. Simulations were conducted using the TropLux software for a reference room placed in different canyon configurations, with façade reflectances of 0.900 and 0.427. The evaluation was based on the following metrics: Annual Average Illuminance (AAI), Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA), and Annual Solar Exposure (ASE). Results indicate that deeper canyons reduce daylight availability, although autonomy was achieved in all analyzed scenarios. Moreover, façade reflectances significantly influenced the available illumination, emphasizing their relevance in design strategies. Excessive levels of daylight were also observed in North, East, and West orientations, suggesting the need for appropriate daylight control strategies. In this context, the study highlights the influence of canyon geometry and façade reflectances on daylight availability, reinforcing their importance in the design of buildings for tropical climates.
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