How can GIS applications optimize daylight and artificial lighting use?
Daylight and artificial lighting are essential elements of landscape architecture, as they affect the visual, functional, and environmental quality of outdoor spaces. However, designing optimal lighting solutions can be challenging, especially in complex urban contexts with multiple factors and constraints. Geographic information systems (GIS) applications can help landscape architects overcome these challenges by providing powerful tools for site analysis, simulation, and evaluation. In this article, you will learn how GIS applications can optimize daylight and artificial lighting use in landscape architecture projects.
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Ahmed AlTheeb, MBA, MLALandscape Supervisor @ King Faisal Specialist Hospital | Sustainable solutions | Trying to make the world a better place
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Nitin Kumar P.PGDM Agri Business | Horticulturist | Lawn & Plant Expert | Agritech | Sustainability |
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Karen MJ WorthingtonBusiness support. Client Relations, Sales, Finance, Accounting, Nat Resources, BSc Geog, Post Baccalaureate…
GIS is a system that collects, stores, analyzes, and displays spatial data and information. It can integrate different types of data, such as topography, climate, vegetation, buildings, infrastructure, and demographics, and create maps, models, and scenarios that represent the physical and social aspects of a site. GIS can also perform spatial analysis, such as calculating distances, areas, slopes, aspects, and visibility, and generate statistics, indicators, and reports. GIS can help landscape architects design lighting solutions that are responsive to the site conditions, needs, and goals, as well as evaluate the impacts and benefits of different lighting options.
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications can play a significant role in optimizing daylight and artificial lighting use in buildings and urban environments. GIS allows for spatial analysis, data integration, and visualization, providing valuable insights that can inform decisions related to lighting design, energy efficiency, and overall building performance. 1. Site Analysis and Solar Path Mapping 2. Daylight Availability Assessment 3. Building Energy Simulation 4. Urban Planning and Design 5. Viewshed Analysis 6. Dynamic Daylighting Modeling 7. Light Pollution Mitigation
Daylight is the natural light that comes from the sun and the sky. It varies depending on the time of day, season, latitude, weather, and surrounding context. Daylight can influence the perception, mood, health, and behavior of people, as well as the energy consumption, thermal comfort, and ecological performance of outdoor spaces. GIS applications can measure and simulate daylight by using data from solar radiation models, sky models, and sun path diagrams. These models can estimate the amount, direction, and quality of daylight at any point and time on a site, as well as the shading and reflection effects of the surrounding objects. GIS applications can also visualize daylight in different ways, such as contour maps, heat maps, color maps, and 3D renderings.
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GIS applications in daylight analysis include: 1- Spatial Analysis to assess how geographical features impact sunlight exposure. 2- 3D Modeling for simulating sunlight on landscapes and buildings. 3- Shadow Analysis to understand the impact of new structures on sunlight access. 4- Solar Radiation Tools for calculating solar energy received by different surfaces. 5- Integration with Meteorological Data to simulate daylight variations due to weather. 6- Daylight Availability Analysis for optimizing natural light in design. Time-Based Simulations to study long-term daylight patterns.
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GIS and LIDAR are great ways to better understand natural and simulated lighting design. Sunlight exposure mapping for best landscape planting ideas and to understand landscape lighting design ideas. Which also can aid in better understanding of energy use in a landscape lighting plan. Urban design etc.
Artificial lighting is the light that comes from electric sources, such as lamps, fixtures, and signs. It can supplement or replace daylight when it is insufficient or unavailable, as well as create specific effects and atmospheres in outdoor spaces. Artificial lighting can also affect the visibility, safety, security, and identity of a site, as well as the light pollution, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. GIS applications can measure and simulate artificial lighting by using data from lighting design software, photometric files, and luminance models. These data can estimate the intensity, distribution, and color of artificial lighting at any point and time on a site, as well as the glare and contrast effects of the light sources. GIS applications can also visualize artificial lighting in different ways, such as point maps, line maps, surface maps, and 3D renderings.
GIS applications can compare and optimize daylight and artificial lighting use by using data from performance criteria, standards, and guidelines. These criteria can define the optimal levels and ranges of daylight and artificial lighting for different functions, activities, and users of outdoor spaces, such as pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and residents. GIS applications can also define the optimal balance and integration of daylight and artificial lighting to achieve the desired outcomes, such as visual comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. GIS applications can compare and optimize daylight and artificial lighting use by using tools such as overlay analysis, suitability analysis, multicriteria analysis, and sensitivity analysis. These tools can evaluate the performance, trade-offs, and synergies of different lighting scenarios, as well as identify the best lighting solutions for a site.
GIS applications can communicate and present daylight and artificial lighting solutions by using data from user feedback, stakeholder input, and public participation. These data can provide the preferences, opinions, and expectations of the people who use, manage, or influence outdoor spaces, as well as the potential issues, conflicts, and opportunities of the lighting solutions. GIS applications can also communicate and present daylight and artificial lighting solutions by using tools such as maps, charts, graphs, tables, and images. These tools can convey the information, analysis, and evaluation of the lighting solutions in a clear, concise, and compelling way, as well as facilitate the communication and collaboration among the landscape architects, clients, consultants, contractors, and authorities.
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