Speaker
Description
In South Korea, apartments are regarded as premium housing types, and their numbers continue to rise despite stagnant population growth and a housing supply rate exceeding 100%. Reconstruction projects for aging apartments often involve increasing the number of units to cover construction costs, leading to efforts to maximize floor area ratios (FAR). While higher building density can enhance profitability and allow for quality green spaces at lower levels, as proposed in Le Corbusier’s "The Radiant City," it also raises concerns about reduced sunlight, visual obstruction, and the overall quality of residential environments.
This study examines the environmental impacts of apartment reconstruction by analyzing 30 reconstructed apartment complexes in Seoul. Using CAD and GIS data, the pre- and post-reconstruction configurations of these complexes were evaluated based on three key indicators: sunlight, landscape, and greenery. Detailed metrics include the Sky View Factor and average sunlight hours for sunlight analysis, facade obstruction rate for landscape evaluation, and greenery ratio to measure changes in green spaces.
The results show inconsistent trends in greenery ratios, depending on the design of individual complexes. However, sunlight exposure and landscape visibility were generally reduced after reconstruction. Increased shadowed areas and greater visual obstruction were observed both within and outside the complexes, demonstrating broader environmental impacts. Despite these findings, variations between complexes indicate that applying appropriate FAR and design principles can help maintain environmental quality while achieving reconstruction goals.
This study provides quantitative insights into the environmental implications of apartment reconstruction in South Korea. By examining the interplay between urban density and residential environmental quality, the findings offer practical guidelines for sustainable reconstruction practices, ensuring that public and private interests are balanced in future projects.
References
Chunping, M.et al. (2020) 'Review of methods used to estimate the sky view factor in urban street canyons', Building and Environment,168 pp.106497.
Sun, D. (2022) 'Visual Quality Evaluation of Urban Landscape Based on Computer Vision Technology'. Digital Analysis of Urban Structure and Its Environment Implication. Springer, pp.139-169.
| Keywords | Apartment Complexes; Solar Radiation; Visual Obstruction; Sky View Factor |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
