Shadows

Step Back For Sunlight in Portland

A growing Portland has seen many arguments about how to accommodate an influx of residents—recommends the "step back" as a way to add density without adding shadows or creating wind tunnels.

April 28, 2017 - Livable Portland

New York City

Friday Eye Candy: Mapping All of New York's Shadows, in All Seasons

New York's lack of sunlight might be overstated, but the New York Times mapped the shadows cast by every building on every block of the city just to be sure.

December 23, 2016 - The New York Times

The Sun Also Hides Behind Skyscrapers

The Washington Post details the concern over the shadows cast by skyscrapers on the city street below. The latest high-profile case study of the ability of skyscrapers to block the sun: New York's Midtown.

May 5, 2015 - The Washington Post

Dusk High Rises

Designing the Shadow-less Skyscraper

Architects at NBBJ in London have designed a building—two buildings rather—that work together to cancel out the shadows they cast.

March 28, 2015 - Wired

Do Tall Cities Require the Regulation of Sunlight?

Planners, lawyers and homeowners have been arguing the question of "solar rights" for two millennia. A recent article presents a primer on the historic and contemporary importance of the debate.

April 29, 2014 - Salon

The Shard London

How Tall is Too Tall?

What is the best height to promote good urban living? It needs to be high to attain necessary density but not so high that it detracts from the quality of life, particularly for existing residents. In short, what is the Goldilocks height level?

April 26, 2014 - The Guardian

As Developers Reach for the Sky, New Yorkers Lose Their Access to the Sun

While much attention has been paid to the stunning views that NYC's new skyscrapers offer their affluent tenants, the effects on those left in their shadow are rarely discussed.

December 22, 2013 - The New York Times

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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