Improving Daylight Access in Low-Income Housing in Port Harcourt

Improving Daylight Access in Low-Income Housing in Port Harcourt

Chapter One

Objective of the Study

The study aims to enhance daylighting in low-income housing in Port Harcourt through an examination of architectural and design approaches that can optimize natural light usage. The specific objectives of this study are to:

1. Assess the current daylighting conditions in low-income housing units in Port Harcourt.
2. Identify architectural barriers to effective daylight penetration in existing low-income housing structures.
3. Evaluate the influence of building orientation on daylight distribution within housing units.
4. Explore affordable materials and construction methods that can improve daylight access.
5. Analyze occupant perceptions of daylighting and its impact on their quality of life.
6. Investigate energy consumption patterns related to artificial lighting in low-income housing.
7. Develop design recommendations for integrating daylighting in future low-income housing projects.
8. Assess the environmental and economic benefits of enhanced daylighting on low-income households.

Chapter Two

Literature Review 

Energy efficiency in low-income housing is an urgent priority in developing urban areas, where affordable energy solutions can significantly impact household budgets. Daylighting, the practice of using natural light to illuminate building interiors, has gained attention as a cost-effective, energy-saving strategy. By maximizing the use of daylight, dependency on artificial lighting is reduced, which can lower energy consumption and, in turn, reduce monthly energy bills for low-income households. This aspect is crucial as studies have shown that energy expenditures represent a substantial portion of the monthly budgets for such households (Adeboye et al., 2020). A focus on daylighting can not only alleviate some of these financial pressures but also improve the quality of life within low-income housing by providing brighter, naturally lit environments.

In addition to economic benefits, daylighting has implications for health and well-being, contributing to sustainable living environments. Studies indicate that natural light exposure positively influences mental and physical health, reducing stress and increasing productivity among occupants (Cho & Chae, 2023). The natural variation in daylight can also help regulate circadian rhythms, which is beneficial for mental health, particularly in urban settings where access to natural light may be limited. Thus, implementing daylighting strategies in low-income housing aligns with sustainable design principles by improving indoor environmental quality while promoting occupants’ overall health.

Achieving effective daylighting in low-income housing requires thoughtful architectural planning to overcome challenges specific to dense urban environments like Port Harcourt, where tall buildings and close proximity can limit access to direct sunlight (Adeboye et al., 2019). In such settings, integrating design strategies such as well-positioned windows, light shelves, and skylights can maximize daylight penetration, even in high-density areas. Research has demonstrated that passive design strategies, like these, can enhance energy efficiency without the need for significant technological investments, making them feasible for low-income housing projects (Abbakyari & Taki, 2023). Passive daylighting approaches not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sustainability goals of energy efficiency and resource conservation in the housing sector.

Daylighting also influences the thermal comfort of interiors, an essential factor for energy efficiency in climates like Port Harcourt’s, which is both hot and humid. Properly designed daylighting systems can minimize the need for artificial lighting while avoiding excess heat gain, which would otherwise increase the demand for cooling (Adeyemi et al., 2019). For example, shading devices and reflective materials help regulate indoor temperatures by controlling light intensity and reducing solar heat absorption. As a result, the need for air conditioning, which is a major energy expense, is reduced, leading to further savings for low-income households (Li et al., 2019). Balancing daylighting with thermal comfort considerations is thus a critical design priority in sustainable low-income housing.

Moreover, daylighting strategies are vital for advancing environmentally responsible construction practices, as they align with low-carbon and energy-efficient housing models. By reducing reliance on artificial lighting, daylighting contributes to a decrease in electricity production demand, which in turn helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional energy generation (Al-Turki et al., 2018). Low-income housing that incorporates daylighting can, therefore, play a role in larger environmental sustainability efforts. For instance, studies on passive design strategies in residential buildings in hot climates have shown that daylighting combined with natural ventilation and shading can significantly reduce energy usage and environmental impact (Al-Turki et al., 2022).

References

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